Page 25 - Third Book of Reading Lessons

_
24 THIRD BOOK OF LESSON -vrr.
ARGUMENTS FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DERIVED FROM CREATION.
1. AND ask ye why he claims our ve? 0 answer, all ye winds of even,
0 answer, all ye lights above,
That watch in yonder dark'ning heaven ; Thou earth, in vernal ra iance gay
As when his angels rst arrayed·thee, And thou, 0 deep-tongued ocean, say
Why man should love the mind that made thee.
2. There's not a ower that decks the vale, There's not a beam that lights the mountain:
There's not a shrnb that scents the gale, There's not a wind that stirs the untain,
There's not a hue that paints the rose, There's not a leaf around us lying,
But in its use or beauty shows
True love to us, and love undying.
3. For in the past, ere time began,
Ere rst e new-made sun ascended, Or light illumed the world, and man
Arose amid the order splendid ;
Even then, r thee, that bounteous Mind,
Unasked, amid the wide creation,
r turity designed
Thy dwelling st and lasting station.
4. And seek we arguments of love,
And ask we who be is that claims it?