Each angel made remark: “Until this very hour I had a certain knowledge of the wide earth’s bower. Much duty I’ve performed upon its soil, down there. Surprise I’ve felt, not small, attachment so to bear. For what was my attachment to that ball of clay;— I, that am moulded from the glorious light of day? What was my strong affection? I’m light; darkness, earth! Can light and darkness mingle;--live in jocund mirth? 420 O Adam! Now it’s clear! My love was mere instinct; In that the earth material gave for thee, succinct! Thy earthly body here was wove out of its clay; Thy spirit, pure, created was beyond the realm of day! The honour which we, spirits, have received through thee, Before all worlds had sparkled, by divine decree! When we were on the earth, we inattentive were; And little recked the treasure trusted to its care! When orders were received to quit the earth, and mount, We felt regret to change; knew not on what account. 425 We thought of reasons for the shift, and question made: ‘O Lord! Who then shall take our place when we’re thus bade? Wilt Thou exchange our praise and service here below, For mere lip-homage from a worm Thee will not know?’ An answer from the Lord, benign, did we receive: ‘What you allege is somewhat many might deceive. Each word upon your tongues is surely out of place, As lisping talk of son to sire, without preface. Your rash objections would deserve to be chastised, But that I have decreed that mercy’s higher prized. 430 Behold, O angels! Since you’ve made confusion strange, In you henceforth I’ve placed a sense of doubt and change! Since you demur, and I refrain from chastisement, None can gainsay my mercy; none may raise comment. A hundred mothers, fathers, meet not My decree! Each soul that’s born a zero is compared to Me! Their love is but the froth; My love, the sea of love! Froth comes and goes; the ocean none remove. More I may say. For, in this earthly oyster-shell There’s naught but froth of froth, of froth of froth to tell!’“ 435 The Lord thus spake;--the Lord, that sea of purity!— He spake not by conjecture;--truth’s own entity! What I here state is said in love’s humility. The Lord is He to whom I fly,--sole Deity! If thou wouldst put to test what I have here set forth, First prove thy test. Make truly sure it’s trouble’s worth. Cloak not thy secret thoughts. So may my thoughts be known. Propose whate’er thou list; within my power, ’tis shown. Thy heart conceal not. I’ll lay bare my heart of hearts; Accept all, of acceptance worthy, thy mind starts. 440 That I may do whatever lies within my power, Do thou observe my heart’s condition in its bower.