Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

Of all yet done; a creature who, not prone
And brute as other creatures, but endu'd
With sanctity of reason, might erect

His stature, and upright with front serene
Govern the rest, self-knowing; and from thence
Magnanimous to correspond with Heaven,
But grateful to acknowledge whence his good
Descends, thither with heart and voice, and eyes,
Directed in devotion, to adore

And worship God Supreme, who made him chief
Of all his works: therefore the Omnipotent
Eternal Father (for where is not He
Present?) thus to his Son audibly spake.

Let us now make man in our image, Man

In our similitude, and let them rule
Over the fish and fowl of sea and air,

Beast of the field, and over all the Earth,

And every creeping thing that creeps the ground.
This said, He form'd thee, Adam, thee, O man,
Dust of the ground, and in thy nostrils breath'd
The breath of life; in his own image he
Created thee in the image of God
Express; and thou becam'st a living soul.
Male he created thee; but thy consort

Female, for race; then bless'd mankind, and said,
Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the Earth;
Subdue it, and throughout dominion hold
Over fish of the sea, and fowl of the air,

And every living thing that moves on the Earth;
Wherever thus created, for no place

4

Is yet distinct by name; thence, as thou know'st,
He brought thee into this delicious grove,
This garden planted with the trees of God,
Delectable both to behold and taste;

And freely all their pleasant fruit for food

Gave thee; all sorts are here that all the Earth yields, Variety without end; but of the tree

Which, tasted, works knowledge of good and evil,
Thou may'st not in the day thou eat'st, thou diest,
Death is the penalty impos'd; beware,

And govern well thy appetite; lest Sin
Surprise thee, and her black attendant Death.
Here finish'd he, and all that he had made
View'd, and behold all was entirely good;
So even and morn accomplish'd the sixth day :
Yet not till the Creator from his work
Desisting, though unwearied, up return'd,

Up to the Heaven of Heavens, his high abode;
Thence to behold his new-created world

The addition of his empire, how it show'd
In prospect from his throne, how good, how fair,
Answering his great idea. Up he rode
Follow'd with acclamation, and the sound
Symphonious of ten thousand harps, that tun'd
Angelick harmonies: The earth, the air
Resounded, (thou remember'st, for thou heard'st,)
The heavens and all the constellations rung,
The planets in their station listening stood,
While the bright pomp ascended jubilant.
Open, ye everlasting gates! they sung,

K

[graphic]

128

Of all ye
And brute

With sanc

His stature

Govern the

Magnanimo
But grateful
Descends, thi
Directed in de
And worship G
Of all his worl
Eternal Father
Present?) thus

Let us now m
In our similitude
Over the fish and
Beast of the field,
. And every creeping
This said, He form
Dust of the ground,
The breath of life;
Created thee in the
Express; and thou b
Male he created thee
Female, for race; ther
Be fruitful, multiply,
Subdue it, and through
Over fish of the sea, an
And every living thing
Wherever thus created,

[graphic][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed]

Open, ye Heavens! your living doors; let in
The great Creator from his work return'd
Magnificent, his six days' work, a World:
Open, and henceforth oft; for God will deign,
To visit oft the dwellings of just men,
Delighted; and with frequent intercourse
Thither will send his winged messengers
On errands of supernal grace.

So sung

The glorious train ascending: He through Heaven,
That open'd wide her blazing portals,

To God's eternal house direct the way.

From MILTON'S PARADISE LOST.

A MOTHER'S LOVE.

HAST thou sounded the depths of yonder sea,
And counted the sands that under it be?

Hast thou measured the heights of the heavens above?
Then mayest thou mete out a mother's love.

Hast thou talked with the blessed of leading on
To the throne of God some wandering son?
Hast thou witnessed the angels' bright employ?
Then mayest thou speak of a mother's joy.

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »