University of Virginia Library

‘Happy wert thou, O Adam; . . for thy God
Provided thee a son; another seed,
Instead of Abel whom Cain slew, and thus,
To thee, himself; unsonned of both, at once.
But Seth was in thine image, like thyself,
Appointed sire of many; thou, of all.
And yet, alas for Seth; condemned to prove
What strife with doomèd earth hath man to wage,
Ere it to him will render aught of good.
Hence was his first-born named. O Enosh, thou
Wert even as Abel; happy in thy heart,
For thou wert good, and evil might not irk
A pious spirit by the Truth made free.
And, ah, to listen to thy lips inspired,
Rapt into heaven the soul, though bruised, or broken;
And made the dimmest spot, and hardest chance,
A paradise, a mean of happiness:
So faith can conquer what subdues the flesh.
Friends made he to him of the holy Prayers;
Angels of light, for him, with glowing speed,
They sought the throne of Grace; and wooed, from Love
Divine, a worshipful inheritance,
A sacred fellowship of holy men,
A peaceful brotherhood of charity.
By Cainan well expressed, his first born son,
Right-worthy image of a worthy sire:
To whom, as a possession, earth was given;
Bought by submission, by obedience won.
Glad to the labour of the field went he,
Heart in his hand, and wisdom in his work;
And, in the intervals of labour, prayed,
Or meditated on sublimest themes.
So revelations opened on his soul,
Glimpses of heaven: for which, in his son's name,
He lauded God; and offered, as a hymn,
The boy, Mahalaleel; and taught him how
To sing thy glory, Maker of the World.
Then, were Religion, Law, and Government,
By Contemplation ordered, and his son,
Jared, held high command. A ruler he,
O'er many tribes; like a descended god,
A priest, a king. Soon, competition rose;
Contest for rule, and battle for reward:
And men, once calling on Jehovah's name,
Profaned the solemn word; and Seth, and Cain
Were covenant together. It is done—
Children, begotten of unlawful beds,
Witnessed their parents' wickedness. But, then,
The righteous was prevented, and with God
Had rest. For honourable age stands not
In length of time, nor by the numerous years
Is measured. Wisdom is grey hair to men;
And an unspotted life, that is old age.
Young Enoch pleasèd God, and was beloved;
And, living among sinners, was by him
Translated; taken speedily away,
Lest haply errour might pervert his mind,
Or guile bewitch from honesty his soul.
O why was I not taken from among
The wicked; for to me may never come
Due honour as of old? Methuselath
To me may never leave what Jared left
To him; nor to my son may I bequeath
Rule unimpaired. O Noah, O my son;
Of Consolation named; for sore I felt
The appointed labour still by earth required,
And looked to thee for aidance in my toil.
Nor vainly—with good hope by thee performed,
In Cainan's power, and spirit, the daily task.
Then came to thee the Word of the Most High,
Judging the earth; . . whence rose the mighty pile,
To swim the Deluge threatened to o'erflow.
Ah me; . . and whither, now, hast thou gone hence?
With sorrow to the grave my head is bowed,
And my soul feeds on ashes, and on dust.’