THE FLORIST. 

 10. 



With full dominion crown'd 



O'er all the Lord had made. 

 Their names He gave to all, tiieir habits saw ; 



The birds and beasts around 



God called, and they obey'd 

 With joy ; for " peace on earth" was yet the law, 



11. 



Not yet the golden chain 



Lay broken in the dust. 

 Which Nature bound in mutual sympathies : 



Not cruelty, in pain 



Rejoicing fierce ; nor lust 

 Of pow'r or gain had glared in Adam's eyes. 



12. 



Willing they came ; for he 



And they one purpose knew, 

 And that was love, to God, and each to each. 



His mind's supremacy, 



His very passions too, 

 But raised his service more than theirs could reach. 



13. 



Earth peaceful then, and rife 



With herb and flower and fruit. 

 From her full bosom all her children fed : 



None prey'd on others' life, 



Nor, culling herb or root. 

 Found poison lurking in the treacherous mead. 



14. 



How alterM now ! For sin, 



" The wormwood and the gall," 

 Scowls from the ruins of that happy state. 



When there's a hell within. 



Without 'tis certain all 

 Is anarchy and strife, and love exchanged to hate. 



15. 



Bound in the iron chain, 



Creation weaves a scourge 

 By war of elements to punish man. 



Consumption, and the train 



Of wasting fevers, urge 

 The step of Death, who then his race began. 



16. 



Yet 'twas by Wisdom plann'd 



The curse of God should glance, 

 And miss the ruin of a helpless world ; 



For, turn'd by Mercy's hand, 



The bolt but struck askance 

 And broke, against the Rock of Ages hurl'd. 



