The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere

When but the first page of the Book of Fate
As yet lay open—thus the Seers relate—
When through the new-born woods the lion ran
The pard, but eyed not yet their master, Man;
When blindly worked through clay the thing that creeps;
When hung, amazed, the eagle o'er the deeps;
The great Creator, bending from the shore
Of heaven, awhile His six days' work forbore:
He willed not that like beast or bird should rise
That Race whose forehead parleys with the skies;
That even man's earthly garb should take its mould
Save from Himself, the Eternal One of Old.
Ere yet His ‘hour was come,’ the All-Wise, All-Good
In human form, then first Incarnate, stood:
Behind Him sank the sun o'er pastures golden;
Man-shaped before Him stretched His sacred shade;
He stood, He spake with sceptred hand high-holden;
‘Rise, Man, from earth in God's own Image made:’
And where that shadow on the sward was stayed
Forth from his native dust ascending, Man obeyed.

University of Virginia Library

THE CREATION OF MAN.

A RABBINICAL TRADITION.