LIGHT. 415 



ODE TO LIGHT. 



Joy of the Universe sublime ! 



Thy beams have lit the waves of time. 



E'er since the Almighty's hand 

 With worlds unnumber'd spangled space. 

 And urged them on their rapid race, 



A bright and glorious band. 

 Yet 'twas not with the splendid sun. 

 That thy bright being was begun ; 



For ever hath thy ray 

 Of glory canopied the Throne 

 Of the Eternal Three in One 



In one unceasing day. 



' Twas not when Night in fear beheld 

 A brilliant universe impell'd 



Through all her wide domain. 

 And fled in panic from her post. 

 Before that grand and glittering host, 



That wide and mighty train ; 

 It was not then thy being bright 

 First flash' d to view, O favouring Light ! 



Not then commenc'd thy race ; 

 For God is light, and Heaven would be 

 No Heaven, fair beam, depriv'd of thee. 



No envied resting place. 



When Night's dark curtains were unfurl'd. 

 And robe-like wrapp'd the new-born world. 



And, on the wrathful deep, 

 Slept in a dark and grim repose. 

 Until that mighty voice arose 



Which bade thee burst their sleep ; — 

 How grand, how glorious, was the sight, 

 When thou awok'st, triumphant Light, 



Upon that curtain 'd sea, — 

 Pour'd forth the ocean of thy rays. 

 And wrapp'd all Nature in the blaze 



Of thy divinity ! 



And now, although the stream of years 

 So long hath roll'd, thy beam appears 

 As fair, as pure, as bright, 



