In that far-off dim dawn, When chaos reigned, and earth was still A formless void in darkness dight, The Spirit, brooding o'er the deep, Awoke Creation from its sleep With that High Call -- "Let -- There -- Be -- Light!" And instant from the womb of night Sprang forth the mystic seven-fold beam, Ablaze with splendours bright. God, in His Wisdom all supreme, As His first act made -- Light. So, unto Him give praise! Praise without ceasing! -- Praise! -- That in His Wisdom Infinite, When making Man for His delight, Before He dowered him with sight, He filled the world with radiance bright, Lest, dulled with fear and void of hope, With stumbling footsteps he should grope, Through an eternal night. To God eternal praise! Praise without ceasing! -- Praise! -- That in His Goodness Infinite He blessed the world with Light. Subserve it to His high employ, And see thou use it right! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...OVID, OLD BUDDY, I WOULD DISCOURSE WITH YOU A WHILE by HAYDEN CARRUTH DEEP IN THE QUIET WOOD by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON BEPPO: A VENETIAN STORY by GEORGE GORDON BYRON ODE TO EVENING by WILLIAM COLLINS (1721-1759) UPON THE DEATH OF THE LORD HASTINGS by JOHN DRYDEN UNDER THE OAK by DAVID HERBERT LAWRENCE THE ENTHUSIAST by HERMAN MELVILLE |