III

I was as high and great

As Kings are in their seat.

All other things were mine.

The world my house, the creatures were my goods,

Fields, mountains, valleys, woods,

Men and their arts to make me rich combine.

IV

Great, lofty, endless, stable,

Various and Innumerable,

Bright, useful, fair, divine.

Immovable and sweet the treasures were,

The sacred objects did appear

More rich and beautiful, as well as mine.

V

New all! new-burnisht joys;

Tho' now by other toys

Eclipst: new all and mine.

Great Truth so sacred seemed for this to me,

Because the things which I did see

Were such, my state I knew to be divine.

VI

Nor did the Angels' faces,

The glories and the graces,

The beauty, peace and joy

Of Heaven itself, more sweetness yield to me.

Till filthy sin did all destroy

Those were the offspring of the Deity.

[THE CHOICE]