AND soon, observant of approaching day,
The meek-eyed Morn appears, mother of dews,
At first faint gleaming in the dappled east ;
Till far o'er ether spreads the widening glow,
And from before the lustre of her face
White break the clouds away. With quicken'd step
Brown Night retires: young Day pours in apace,
And opens all the lawny prospect wide.
The dripping rock, the mountain's misty top,
Swell on the sight, and brighten with the dawn.
Blue, through the dusk, the smoking currents shine;
And from the bladed field the fearful hare
Limps, awkward: while along the forest glade
The wild deer trip, and, often turning, gaze
At early passenger. Music awakes
The native voice of undissembled joy;
And thick around the woodland hymns arise.
Roused by the cock, the soon-clad shepherd leaves
His mossy cottage, where with Peace he dwells;
And from the crowded fold, in order, drives
His flock, to taste the verdure of the morn.
But yonder comes the powerful King of Day,
Rejoicing in the east! The lessening cloud,
The kindling azure, and the mountain's brow,
Illumed with fluid gold, his near approach
Betoken glad. Lo! now, apparent all,
Aslant the dew-bright earth and colour'd air,
He looks in boundless majesty abroad;
And sheds the shining day, that burnish'd plays
On rocks, and hills, and towers, and wandering
streams,
"But what fear'st thou?" cried the Caliph: "dost thou dread a secret blow?
Fear it not; our gallant Moslems no such treacherous dealings know.
Thou mayst quench thy thirst securely; for thou shalt not die, before
Thou hast drunk that cup of water: this reprieve is thine-no more."
Quick the Satrap dashed the goblet down to earth with ready hand,
And the liquid sunk,-for ever lost, amid the burning sand:
"Thou hast said that mine my life is, till the water of that cup
I have drained:-then bid thy servants that spilled water gather up."
For a moment stood the Caliph, as by doubtful passions stirred:
Then exclaimed, "For ever sacred must remain a Monarch's word.
Bring forth another cup, and straightway to the noble Persian give ;---
Drink, I said before, and perish,-now, I bid thee drink and live!"
I sing the goodness of the Lord,
That filled the earth with food:
He form'd the creatures with His word,
And then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are display'd
Where'er I turn mine eye-
If I survey the ground I tread,
Or gaze upon the sky!
There's not a plant or flower below,
But makes Thy glories known;
And clouds arise and tempests blow,
By order from Thy throne.
I SING th' almighty power of God,
That made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad,
And built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordain'd
The sun to rule the day:
The moon shines full at His command,
And all the stars obey.
Creatures-as numerous as they be-
Are subject to Thy care:
There's not a place where we can flee,
But God is present there.
In Heaven He shines with beams of love,
With wrath in hell beneath :
Tis on His earth I stand or move,
And 'tis His air I breathe.
His hand is my perpetual guard,
He keeps me with His eye:
Why should I then forget the Lord,
Who is for ever nigh?
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