Classic Poem

When the creator of the world had given
Last touches to the frame of earth and heaven;
Peopled both sea and land, and worlds sublime,
I' th' first six days that ever measur'd time;
With vast delight the fabrick he survey'd,
And, smiling, thus th' almighty father said:
I'll add another day, the rest to crown;
Sacred to me, peculiarly my own:
Thus time in perfect numbers shall revolve,
Till heaven's high arches crack and earth dissolve.
The sun that decks the smiling day with light,
The moon and stars that glitter in the night,
To teach mankind to measure weeks shall shine,
To measure years in a successive line.
With what delight this day my works I view;
Works which my wisdom, power, and goodness shew!
O happy day! be thou for ever blest,
The great memorial of my joy and rest.
Shine in time's annals princess of the days,
No sound be heard in thee but that of pray'r and praise:
Let every breast with pious zeal be warm'd,
Aw'd by my precept, by my pattern charm'd,
Behold these works which I with pleasure see,
And take delight to sabbathize with me.
I know that rebel fiend, who late was hurl'd
From the high tow'rs of the celestial world,
Who all those legions of th' apostate crew,
Into that common guilt and ruin drew,
Envies mankind the joys that will arise
From this day's rest and sacred exercise;
And envies me the honors of the day,
In which my creatures shall their homage pay.
Their peace in time he'll labour to destroy,
And to prevent their everlasting joy.
But how will satan rage when he shall see
All the great things perform'd which I decree?