Classic Poem

But lo! Almighty Love,
Boundless in Mercy as in Might
To greater Condescentions yet doth move,
And in a mortal Progeny delight:
Which by Eternal Prescience he decrees
To fill th' angelick Vacancies.
'Twas then this Universe he form'd,
With World's, with Sun's, with Atmospheres adorn'd.
No sooner was th' All-potent-Fiat spoke,
But beauteous Light, from dismal Chaos broke.
'The feather'd Choire inhabit Liquid air,
The Seas with Various Fish replenish'd were,
And num'rous Animals on Earth appear.
Thus having fitted all for his new Creatures Use,
Which Earth might yield, or Seas and Air produce,
The great Creator did, of humble Clay,
Erect a Structure nobler far than they.
Gave him a beauteous Body, Godlike Soul
Form'd by the Archetype Divine;
A sov'reign Pow'r to rule this Sphear,
And all of mortal Line.
But is, forgetful of his Maker's Grace!
Too soon, alas! he forfeiced his Place,
Incurr'd that Penalty was justly due,
And all his Race in endless Bonaace threw.
Vast were the Miseries they must sustain,
And Sin, and Death, at once began to reign:
No Glympse of Comfort then could Adam see,
No Hopes of Ransom left to set him free,
Mortals could ne're the mighty Debt repay,
Nor pitying Angels, greater far than they.