The World's Harmonies

Oh listen, listen, for the Earth
Hath silent melody:
Green grasses are her lively chords,

And blossoms: and each tree.
Chestnut and oak and sycamore,
Makes solemn harmony.

Oh listen, listen, for the Sea
Is calling unto us:
Her notes are the broad liquid waves

Mighty and glorious.
Lo the first man and the last man
Hath heard, shall hearken thus.

The Sun on which men cannot look,
Its splendour is so strong,
Which wakeneth life and giveth life,

Rolling in light along,
From day-dawn to dim eventide
Sings the eternal song.

And the Moon taketh up the hymn.
And the Stars answer all:
And all the Clouds and all the Winds

And all the Dews that fall
And Frost and fertilizing Rain
Are mutely musical.

Fishes and Beasts and feathered Fowl
Swell the eternal chaunt.
That riseth through the lower air,

Over the rainbow slant,
Up through the unseen palace-gates,
Fearlessly jubilant.

Before the everlasting Throne
It is acceptable:
It hath no pause or faltering:

The Angels know it well:
Yea in the highest heaven of heavens
Its sound is audible.

Yet than the voice of the whole World
There is a sweeter voice,
That maketh all the Cherubim

And Seraphim rejoice:
That all the blessed Spirits hail
With undivided choice:

That crieth at the golden door
And gaineth entrance in:
That the palm-branch and radiant crown

And glorious throne may win: --
The lowly prayer of a Poor Man
Who turneth from his sin.