"_Ch_. Pray tell us how this sin took place-- This myst'ry we could never scan, That sin has sunk the human race, And all brought in by the first man. 'Tis said this is our heavy curse-- Thy sin imputed unto us. "_Ad_. When I was plac'd on Eden's soil, I liv'd by keeping God's commands-- To keep the garden all the while, And labor, working with my hands. I need not toil beyond my pow'r, Yet never waste one precious hour. "But in a careless, idle frame, I gazed about on what was made: And idle hands will gather shame, And wand'ring eyes confuse the head: I dropp'd my hoe and pruning-knife, To view the beauties of my wife. "An idle beast of highest rank Came creeping up just at that time, And show'd to Eve a curious prank, Affirming that it was no crime:-- 'Ye shall not die as God hath said-- 'Tis all a sham, be not afraid.' "All this was pleasant to the eye, And Eve affirm'd the fruit was good; So I gave up to gratify The meanest passion in my blood. O horrid guilt! I was afraid: I was condemn'd, yea I was dead. "Here ends the life of the first man, Your father and his spotless bride; God will be true, his word must stand-- The day I sinn'd that day I died: This was my sin, this was my fall!-- This your condition, one and all. "_Ch_. How can these fearful things agree With what we read in sacred writ-- That sons and daughters sprung from thee, Endu'd with wisdom, power, and wit; And all the nations fondly claim Their first existence in thy name? "_Ad_. Had you the wisdom of that beast That took my headship by deceit, I could unfold enough at least To prove your lineage all a cheat. Your pedigree you do not know, The SECOND ADAM told you so. "When I with guile was overcome, And fell a victim to the beast, My station first he did assume, Then on the spoil did richly feast. Soon as the life had left my soul, He took possession of the whole. "He plunder'd all my mental pow'rs, My visage, stature, speech, and gait; And, in a word, in a few hours, He was first Adam placed in state: He took my wife, he took my name; All but his nature was the same. "Now see him hide, and skulk about, Just like a beast, and even worse, Till God in anger drove him out, And doom'd him to an endless curse. O hear the whole creation groan! The Man of Sin has took the throne! "Now in my name this beast can plead, How God commanded him at first To multiply his wretched seed, Through the base medium of his lust. O horrid cheat! O subtle plan! A hellish beast assumes the man! "This is your father in my name: Your pedigree ye now may know: He early from perdition came, And to perdition he must go. And all his race with him shall share Eternal darkness and despair."