The Vision of Adam

They who can read the Book which God revealed,
And weigh the pearls which mystic oceans yield,
Tell thus of Adam, when their pens begin
The story of this world and all therein.
His world-embracing eye unclosed to see
In glorious line his children yet to be.
There in due order of precedence stood
Before his face the prophets’ brotherhood.
Then from the rest apart, a noble band,
He saw the saints of God in order stand ;
Then crowned, in pomp and pride of royal state,
Passed many a king and famous potentate ;
And myriad others came, apart from those,
In due succession of their marshalled rows.
The long procession passed, and Adam viewed
Each for a moment in the multitude.
He looked on Yusuf and beheld a moon,
A sun most glorious in his height of noon;
A chosen lamp conspicuous o’er the rest,
Of all the goodly throng the goodliest.
Before the golden sun the stars are dim,
And beauty faded at the sight of him.
Loose flowed his graceful mantle ; prone before
His feet adorers kissed the robe he wore.
Thought cannot picture, lips can ne’er express,
Though skilled in speech, his perfect loveliness.
Robed in the garb of heavenly favour, on
His brow a crown of kingly glory shone.
Spring of the dawn of joy, his brow was gay ;
Night at his coming shone like glorious day.
Before, behind, from darkening bodies free,
The holy prophets’ glorious company,
And spirits sanctified, a countless band,
Waving a banner in each radiant hand
Before that temple and the light he shed
In whispering adoration bowed the head.
And Adam marvelled at the glorious show,
And from his lips came question soft and low : —
“ Lord, .in whose garden grows this gracious plant ?
Whose happy eyes will its sweet flower enchant ?
Why falls on him this light of glory ? Whence
This splendour, beauty, and magnificence ? ”
“ Thine eyes’ dear light is he,” a voice replied,
“ Thy wounded bosom’s sweetest joy and pride.
A tender plant from Jacob’s flowery dell,
From Abraham’s spacious plain a fair gazelle.
High over Saturn shall his palace tower,
And Egypt’s fruitful land enthrone his power.
The perfect beauty in his face expressed
Shall wake the envy of earth’s loveliest.
He holds a mirror in his hand to show
His face ; on him thy treasured gift bestow.”
And Adam said : — “ Unclosed is favour’s door :
Six shares has beauty, and I give him four.
May every charm by loveliest youth possessed
In him be double, single in the rest ;
And, when his splendour comes to vanquish all.
Their gift of beauty to a third shall fall.”
Then to his guileless heart the youth he drew,
And gave him strength to keep him pure and true
Told him the love that thrilled his happy breast,
And on his brow a father’s kiss impressed ;
Bloomed like the rose in proud paternal joy,
And blessed in bulbul tone that rose-like boy.