Adam and Eve's Alternate Hymn (from Adam in Banishment)

ADAM.

The all-quickening light is rolling there,
Which bids the shadowy forms emerge
From yon horizon's furthest verge,
And flit across earth's bosom fair:

The song of birds salutes the day —
A song whose chorus soars to Him
Who pours on all his blessing's beam,
And wakes the universal lay.

Come, let us join that choral song;
Come, let our voices blend with theirs;
And as their praises float along
We'll pour the incense of our prayers.

I'll lead the grateful hymn, my love!
And thou a sweeter strain shalt bring;
How shall we celebrate — how sing
The Spirit blest that reigns above!

EVE.

Yes! Let us sing of God — the spring,
The source of all we feel and see;
What theme can be so blest as He —
Director — life-sustainer — king!

Lift, lift, my love! thy thoughts on high;
I'll follow their sublimest flight,
And hill and wood and valley bright
Shall to the joyous hymn reply.

ADAM.

O Father! we approach Thy throne,
Who bidd'st the glorious sun arise:
All-good, Almighty, and All-wise!
Great source of all things — God alone!

We see Thee, brighter than the rays
Of the bright sun: we see Thee shine,
As in a fountain's face — divine;
We see Thee — endless fount of days:

We see Thee, who our frames hast brought,
With one swift word, from senseless clay —
Waked — with one glance of heavenly ray,
Our never-dying souls from nought.

Those souls Thou lightedst with the spark
Of Thy pure fire — and gracious still —
Gav'st immortality — free will,
And language — not involved, nor dark.

EVE.

God — God be praised! who form'd us thus,
He was, and is, and shall endure:
Pure — He shall make all nature pure,
And fix his dwelling here with us.

What sweeter thought — what stronger token
Than that his everlasting hand
Body and soul in holy band
Hath bound — that never shall be broken!

ADAM.

'Tis He whose kind and generous care
This lovely garden's range hath planted,
Where nought that charms desire is wanted,
And joy's a guest immortal here.

The fount of life — whence waters living
O'erspreading all the garden flow —
Bright flowers upon their borders grow,
While to the trees life's food they're giving.

Here blooms the life-imparting tree,
Whose fruit, just hid in silvery leaves,
Makes man a spirit, and retrieves
His weakness and satiety.

The dews — from morning's vault that fell,
Are honeyed manna on our tongue:
Shall not his hallow'd praise be sung,
Whom nature sings — the Source of all?

EVE.

O blest be He who blessings pours!
Who fills the heart with tenderness,
And with his richest gifts will bless —
He wondrous — whom our tongue adores.

A full, o'erflowing horn of good
Upon our Eden he has shower'd,
And peace and hope and joy embower'd
In its sweet silent solitude.

ADAM.

Yes! now I feel the charm divine,
Yes! now I feel the bliss, the pride,
To press thee, dearest! to my side,
And join my early vows to thine.

A unity — in love cemented,
Blest by thy presence — and by thee
Gilded with smiles and purity,
May make my exiled soul contented.

O sister — daughter — fairest bride,
What shall I call thee? — Paradise
Has million flowers that smiling rise
To kiss thy feet well satisfied.

EVE.

Love! one shall be our will, and one
Our fate, from the first dawn of day,
When the bright sun begins his way,
To when his weary course is done.

Peace, tenderness, and joy — a shrine
Sacred to cheerful love — and praise
To Him, the Lord of ceaseless days,
Who blended thy fond heart with mine.