At length, as from the shock of wonder
His spirit had regained its tone,
He sought, with closer gaze, to ponder
On beauty's features, one by one.

He felt the texture of the grass;

Inhaled the fragrance of the blossom; And watched the lights and shadows pass O'er the green upland's swelling bosom ; He touched the dew-drop, as it hung,

And started, as it burst from sight,

Half fearful of inflicted wrong

Upon the tiny globe of light.

Then, while with wistful eye he gazed

At families of living things,

That through the verdant meadows grazed,
Or fanned the fragrant air with wings,
And, in the stream's clear crystal, saw
The glittering fish together swim,

He marvelled much that nature's law

Had given no kindred friend to him:

A shadowy likeness walked beside him,

Along his path in silence stealing;

But still the impassive form denied him
All token of congenial feeling.

IV.

Thus musing on, he gained a nook

Deep in the garden's inmost bowers, Through which a little lulling brook

Kept prattling to the grass and flowers;

And cool and green the light came in,

Winnowed through countless leaves above,

From which the breeze could rarely win

A whisper, to reward its love:

Bland invitation to repose!

Sweet languor o'er his senses crept;

He felt the shadows round him close,

And in the lap of peace he slept;

6

He slept, and dreamed,-a blessed dream;

Blue vernal eyes and sunny hair!

235

A form that like his own did seem,

But far more purely fair!

It called on him,-a silver sound,

Trustful and tender, thrilled his ear ;It called; he started from the ground,Awoke, and found it there!

“Woman!” it was the first sweet word,

That ever from his lips had parted; No ear, till then, his voice had heard, He felt so lonely-hearted.

Meekly her master's gaze she met,

And to her cheeks the colour came ;

Blushes of beauty,—for, as yet,

They knew no blush of shame.

Oh, language hath not skill to tell

The thoughts that in their bosoms strove,

As, 'tranced by one absorbing spell,

They felt the new-born might of love:

Not the idolatry of sense,

That holds in carnal hearts abode;

But pure, serene, sublime, intense,

It rapt their wedded souls to God. Instinctively they sought the light;

As though beneath heaven's open eye They deemed it fitting to unite

Their homage to their Sire on high.
He, with his glorious brow upraised,
Adored the author of his bliss;

As conscious that the God he praised
Gave back responsive smiles to his.
She, with her graceful head depressed,

And arm across his shoulders thrown; While, like a veil, o'er face and breast

Drooped the rich, radiant tresses down.

V.

A moment o'er that blissful sight

Hosts of admiring angels hung;

The passion of a new delight

Struck voiceless each immortal tongue :

Then sudden, o'er the blue expanse,

Millions of sparkles seemed to glance;

And, loosed on every side at once,

With multitudinous response

All heaven burst forth in song.

66 Hail! hail! hail!

Welcome to your realm of beauty!
Welcome to your blest abode !
Thus, with mingled love and duty,
We, the elder sons of God,

Join our voices to salute ye,

Pour our echoing strains abroad :

Now let triumph ride the gale;

Peace and joy and praise prevail !
It is finished! hail! all-hail !

VI.

"Finished is 'the six-days' wonder!

Since Jehovah's voice of might,

From the secret place of thunder,

Spake the word, and there was light,