Poems; original and translated by Charles Rann Kennedy ... and Two Poems by the Rev. Rann Kennedy. New Edition. By Charles Rann Kennedy |
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THE SOLAR SYSTEM. |
 | Poems; original and translated |  |
THE SOLAR SYSTEM.
A world was made; the news in heaven was told;
In long array the angels stood to view;
Thro' the vast empyrean thunders roll'd;
God to his great design pronounced it true.
In long array the angels stood to view;
Thro' the vast empyrean thunders roll'd;
God to his great design pronounced it true.
Again his voice was audible; and then
The host of planets into motion sprang,
Dazzling with sudden whirl the angels' ken;
Louder and louder hallelujahs rang.
The host of planets into motion sprang,
Dazzling with sudden whirl the angels' ken;
Louder and louder hallelujahs rang.
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Yet for a moment all disorder seems,
A rush of elements and flash of fire,
As comets hurl'd abroad, or lightning-gleams
Shot thro' the void in darkness to expire.
A rush of elements and flash of fire,
As comets hurl'd abroad, or lightning-gleams
Shot thro' the void in darkness to expire.
But see! the planets from their onward flight
Wheel in a circle and revolving go,
Each in a track of unextinguish'd light;
Order and beauty from confusion grow.
Wheel in a circle and revolving go,
Each in a track of unextinguish'd light;
Order and beauty from confusion grow.
Maze within maze, but round one centre all,
Swing in a mystic dance those radiant spheres,
Chiming their choral hymn, whose echoes fall
Thro' depths of silence on celestial ears.
Swing in a mystic dance those radiant spheres,
Chiming their choral hymn, whose echoes fall
Thro' depths of silence on celestial ears.
Eternal God, Creator! Thee they praise:
They feel thy stirring power, thy doom fulfil:
The universe thy light, thy law displays,
The harmony of thine almighty will.
They feel thy stirring power, thy doom fulfil:
The universe thy light, thy law displays,
The harmony of thine almighty will.
| Poems; original and translated | |