Selections from the American Poets/Hymn of Nature
HYMN OF NATURE.
God of the earth's extended plains! The dark green fields contented lie:The mountains rise like holy towers, Where man might commune with the sky:The tall cliff challenges the storm That lowers upon the vale below,Where shaded fountains send their streams, With joyous music in their flow.
God of the dark and heavy deep! The waves lie sleeping on the sands,Till the fierce trumpet of the storm Hath summon'd up their thundering bands;Then the white sails are dash'd like foam, Or hurry, trembling, o'er the seas,Till, calm'd by thee, the sinking gale Serenely breathes, Depart in peace.
God of the forest's solemn shade! The grandeur of the lonely tree,That wrestles singly with the gale, Lifts up admiring eyes to thee;But more majestic far they stand, When, side by side, their ranks they form,To wave on high their plumes of green, And fight their battles with the storm.
God of the light and viewless air! Where summer breezes sweetly flow,Or, gathering in their airy might, The fierce and wintry tempests blow;All—from the evening's plaintive sigh, That hardly lifts the drooping flower,To the wild whirlwind's midnight cry— Breathe forth the language of thy power.
God of the fair and open sky! How gloriously above us springsThe tented dome, of heavenly blue, Suspended on the rainbow's rings!Each brilliant star that sparkles through, Each gilded cloud that wanders freeIn evening's purple radiance, gives The beauty of its praise to thee.
God of the rolling orbs above! Thy name is written clearly brightIn the warm day's unvarying blaze, Or evening's golden shower of light, For every fire that fronts the sun, And every spark that walks aloneAround the utmost verge of heaven, Were kindled at thy burning throne.
God of the world! the hour must come, And Nature's self to dust return;Her crumbling altars must decay; Her incense fires shall cease to burn;But still her grand and lovely scenes Have made man's warmest praises flow;For hearts grow holier as they trace The beauty of the world below.