Classic Poem

ODE XXVII

I.

Greatest of Beings, Source of life,
Sov'reign of air, of earth, and sea,
All nature feels thy pow'r, and all
A silent homage pay to thee!

II.

Wak'd by thy hand, the morning sun
Pours forth to thee its earlier rays;
And spreads thy glories as it climbs;
While raptur'd worlds look up and praise.

III.

The moon amid the shades of night,
In borrow'd lustre speaks thy name;
And all the stars, that gild the scene,
Thee, the great Lord of light, proclaim.

IV.

The rock, and grove, the hills and vales,
Each blooming flower, each verdant tree,
And all the creatures warm with life,
Have each a secret song for thee.

V.

But man with nobler thought erect,
(For Reason yields a steady light)
Surveys his Maker through his works,
And glows with rapture at the sight.

VI.

Nor can the thousand songs that rise,
Whether from air, or earth, or sea,
So well repeat Jehovah's praise,
Or raise so sweet a harmony.

VII.

Subject to wants, he looks to thee,
And from thy goodness seeks supplies:
And, when opprest with guilt he mourns,
Thy mercy lifts him to the skies.

VIII.

Children, whose little minds, unform'd,
Ne'er rais'd a tender thought to heav'n;
And men, whom reason lifts to God,
Though oft by passion downward driv'n:

IX.

Such, too, as bend with age and care,
And faint and tremble near the tomb:
Who, sick'ning at the present scenes,
Sigh for some better state to come;

X.

All, great Creator! all are thine:
All feel thy providential care;
And, through each varying stage of life,
Alike thy constant goodness share.

XI.

Greatest of Beings, source of life,
Sov'reign of air, of earth, and sea,
All nature feels thy pow'r; but man
A grateful tribute pays to thee.