ON THE ORIGIN OF EVIL.
I
Evil, if rightly understood,
Is but the Skeleton of Good,
Divested of its Flesh and Blood.
II
While it remains without Divorce
Within its hidden, secret Source,
It is the Good's own Strength and Force.
III
As Bone has the supporting Share
In human Form Divinely fair,
Altho' an Evil when laid bare;
IV
As Light and Air are fed by Fire,
A shining Good, while all conspire,
But,—separate,—dark, raging Ire;
V
As Hope and Love arise from Faith,
Which then admits no Ill, nor hath;
But, if alone, it would be Wrath;
VI
Or any Instance thought upon,
In which the Evil can be none,
Till Unity of Good is gone;
VII
So, by Abuse of Thought and Skill
The greatest Good, to wit, Free-will,
Becomes the Origin of Ill.
VIII
Thus, when rebellious Angels fell,
The very Heav'n where good ones dwell
Became th' apostate Spirits' Hell.
IX
Seeking, against Eternal Right,
A Force without a Love and Light,
They found and felt its evil Might.
X
Thus Adam, biting at their Bait
Of Good and Evil when he ate,
Died to his first thrice-happy State;
XI
Fell to the Evils of this Ball,
Which in harmonious Union all
Were Paradise before his Fall;
XII
And, when the Life of Christ in Men
Revives its faded Image, then
Will all be Paradise again.
