Classic Poem

1

To what God in earth or air
Shall we offer gift and prayer?
Him, — the Golden Child, — the One,
Lord of all since nature's dawn;
Ocean-compassed earth He spread,
Flung the sky-vault overhead!

2

To what God in earth or air
Shall we offer gift and prayer?
Him who lit life's primal ray,
And whom heavenly hosts obey,
Him whose darkening shade is Death,
And whose light — Immortal Breath!

3

To what God in earth or air
Shall we offer gift and prayer?
Him, — the Ruler-king above
Of all things that live and move,
Him who formed the beast and man
When creation's life began!

4

To what God in earth or air
Shall we offer gift and prayer?
Him whose mighty hand hath made
Snowy mountains, ocean's bed,
Whose vast arms — the spreading sky,
Far-extending, flaming high!

5

To what God in earth or air
Shall we offer gift and prayer?
Him who fixed the earth and sky,
Starry heavens suspended high,
And the blue-vault shaped and bent,
Measured out the firmament!

6

To what God in earth or air
Shall we offer gift and prayer?
Him whom earth and sounding sky
Render worship pure and high,
And the sun each circling hour
Borrows radiance from His power?

7

To what God in earth or air
Shall we offer gift and prayer?
Him, the Life of Gods, the One ,
Rising at creation's dawn,
When deep waters held in gloom
Unborn Agni in their womb!

8

To what God in earth or air
Shall we offer gift and prayer?
Him, the God of Gods, — the One , —
Who o'er primal waters shone,
When the deep brought forth in gloom
Nascent Agni from her womb.

9

To what God in earth or air
Shall we offer gift and prayer?
Him, the vasty earth who made,
Nature's changeless laws who laid,
Rolled the great and lucid floods,
World's creator, God of Gods!

10

Lord of creatures! Thou dost know
Things created here below;
Thou above canst comprehend
Vast creation's cause and end;
Grant us blessing and protection,
Grant us wealth and benediction!