That the Eternal and Divine

Did, eighteen centuries ago,

In very truth.... Enough! you know

The all-stupendous tale,—that Birth,

That Life, that Death! And all, the earth

Shuddered at,—all, the heavens grew black

Rather than see; all, nature’s rack

And throe at dissolution’s brink

Attested,—all took place, you think,

Only to give our joys a zest,