Classic Poem

RAPHAEL .

The sun still joins the cosmic forces
 In the great chorus of the spheres,
And o'er his destined orbit courses
 In thunderous march of cycling years.
The sight gives Angels might victorious,
 Though Heav'n's vast secrets none can weigh,
And its majestic works are glorious,
 As in Creation's natal day.

GABRIEL .

See radiant earth all thought outspeeding,
 Revolve in dizzy circling flight,
Now steeped in Heav'n's own rays succeeding
 To the deep shudd'ring gloom of night.
In foaming floods see mighty ocean
 Lash the rock pavement of the world,
While rock and flood in ceaseless motion,
 With all the racing spheres are whirled.

MICHAEL .

And tempests roar in emulation
 From shore to sea, from sea to shore,
And weave a chain of devastation,
 Earth's troubled surface raging o'er.
A path of havoc for the thunder
 Is branded by the lightnings' play,
Yet, Lord, Thy servants watch in wonder,
 The soft unfolding of Thy day.

ALL THREE .

The sight gives Angels might victorious,
 Though none may sound Thy depths sublime,
And Thy majestic works are glorious,
 As in Creation's early prime.