Still lonely earth for highest beauty mourned,
Creation’s crown not yet her head adorned ;
Till from the dust lifted man’s face in light,
And cast o’er earth his godlike glance so bright.
Its whiteness lost the mountain snow ;
Dark down the hills morn’s rose sank low ;
The star which in day’s brow before
Had shown so fair, would shine no more ;
And bird and beast knelt lowly down,
Homage to pay creation’s crown.
Before those eyes, where love so bright
Beamed over earth Hope’s new-born light,
Dumb stood the angel-host and gazed
As these new orbs uplifted raised ;
While Heaven, to crown and seal his bliss,
Gave man’s pure brow its royal kiss.
___
Oh, face of man, pressed with your godlike seal,[2]
Which earth’s dim vail doth only half reveal,
Do you adorn alone this mortal isle,
Or through Eternity’s long while
Shall angels see your tear and smile ?
Yes, human face, with all thy mortal tears,
Thou shall forever, through the endless years,
Thy godlike smile backward and forward cast
While heaven shall live, angels or stars shall last.
