 | Voices from the Lakes, and Other Poems |  |
I.
Eden all fresh, just finished by the Lord,Glowed with rich beauty, marvellously fair;
Bright flowers like jewels gemmed the dewy sward,
And filled with fragrance all the balmy air.
God looking on His world, pronounced it good,
Perfect throughout, from greatest unto least;
Adam, Creation's crown, in glory stood
His Maker's image, Nature's King and Priest.
To him each beast of field or forest came,
All lowly crouching, fawning at his feet,
To which he gave, as fitted each, a name,
An appellation to their instincts meet;
And birds of air folded their downy wings,
And waited near him, with all living things.
| Voices from the Lakes, and Other Poems | |