MILTON'S HYMN TO THE CREATOR "These are thy Glorious Works, Parent of Good! Almighty, Thine this Universal Frame, Thus wondrous fair! Thyself how wondrous then! Speak ye who best can tell, Ye Sons of Light, Angels, for ye behold him, and with Songs And Choral Symphonies, Day without Night, Circle his Throne rejoicing you in Heav'n, On Earth join all ye creatures to extol Him first, him last, him midst, and without End. "Fairest of Stars, last in the Train of Night, If rather Thou belongst not to the Dawn, Sure Pledge of Day! thou crown'st the smiling Morn With thy bright Circlet, Praise him in thy Sphere While Day arises, that sweet Hour of Prime. Thou Sun, of this great World, both Eye and Soul, Acknowledge him thy greater; Sound his Praise In thy eternal Course; both when thou climb'st, And when high Noon hast gain'd, and when thou fall'st. Moon! that now meet'st the orient sun, now fly'st, With the fixed Stars, fixed in their orb that flies, And ye five other wandering Fires, that move In mystic Dance not without Song; resound His Praise, that out of Darkness called up Light. Air! and ye Elements! the eldest Birth Of Nature's womb, that in Quaternion run Perpetual Circle, multiform, and mix And nourish all things, let your ceaseless Change Vary to our great Maker still new Praise. Ye mists and Exhalations, that now rise From Hill or steaming lake, dusky or grey, Till the Sun paint your fleecy skirts with Gold, In honour to the World's Great Author rise; Whether to deck with Clouds the uncolor'd sky, Or wet the thirsty Earth w^th falling show'rs, Rising or falling still advance his Praise. His Praise, ye Winds! that from 4 quarters blow, Breathe soft or Loud; and wave your Tops, ye Pines! With every Plant, in sign of worship wave. Fountains! and ye that warble, as ye flow Melodious Murmurs, warbling tune his Praise. Join voices all ye living souls, ye Birds! That singing, up to Heaven's high gate ascend, Bear on your wings, & in your Note his Praise; Ye that in Waters glide! and ye that walk The Earth! and stately tread or lowly creep; Witness _if I be silent_, Ev'n or Morn, To Hill, or Valley, Fountain, or Fresh Shade, Made Vocal by my Song, and taught his Praise." [Here follows the Reading of some Book, or part of a Book, Discoursing on and exciting to Moral Virtue.] PETITION