Poems original and translated :: :: University of Virginia Library

All Wisdom is from Thee, O Lord! with Thee
Abideth ever.
The drops of rain that fall—the sand of the sea—
The sum of days that makes eternity,
Who shall endeavour
To number?—who, to measure Heaven's height,
Earth's breadth, the depth of ocean infinite,
The boundless stream
Of Wisdom—first of all created things—
Wisdom, that from the eternal fountain springs
Of God supreme?
Her ways are everlasting laws—to whom
Have the recesses of her secret womb
Been e'er reveal'd?
Who knows her solemn councils? who so blest,
To whom she hath herself made manifest,
And kept conceal'd
From all beside?—Yet is there One, most wise,
One, greatly to be fear'd, who in the skies
Hath built his throne;

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Who Wisdom's self did into being call,
And saw, and number'd, and hath since thro' all
His works made known—
And, most of all, to them that live, and move,
And their Almighty Father know and love,
Hath given her for their own.
The fear of the Lord is Honour, Glory, Gladness;
A crown of happiness without alloy;
The fear of the Lord dispelleth grief and sadness,
And giveth length of years, increase of joy.
Who fears the Lord, with him it shall be well
E'en to the last, and peace upon his death bed dwell.
The fear of the Lord is Wisdom's first creation,
Found with the faithful yet within the womb,
And will continue with them to the tomb,
And with their seed upon secure foundation.