Page:The Pleasures of Imagination - Akenside (1744).djvu/18

4
 * From heav'n my strains begin; from heaven descends

The flame of genius to the human breast, And love and beauty, and poetic joy And inspiration. Ere the radiant sun Sprung from the east, or 'mid the vault of night The moon suspended her serener lamp; Ere mountains, woods, or streams adorn'd the globe; Or wisdom taught the sons of men her lore; Then liv'd th' almighty : then, deep-retir'd In his unfathom'd essence, view'd at large The uncreated images things; The radiant sun, the moon's nocturnal lamp, The mountains, woods and streams, the rolling globe, And wisdom's form cœlestial. From the first Of days, on them his love divine he fix'd, His admiration: till in time compleat, What he admir'd and lov'd, his vital smile Unfolded into being. Hence the breath Of life informing each organic frame, Hence the green earth, and wild resounding waves; Hence light and shade alternate; warmth and cold; And clear autumnal skies and vernal show'rs, And all the fair variety of things. But