A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations / Consisting of Choice Passages from the Sacred Poetry of All Ages and Countries, Classified and Arranged, for Facility of Reference, Under Subject Headings; Illustrated by Striking Passages from Scripture, and Forming Altogether a Complete Book of Devotional Poetry.

by Unknown

When the god-governed earth was heavenly pure;

When never death, nor woes men now endure

Had entered here, nor hate, nor guile, nor rage.

The eastern Magian speaks of earliest days,

When holy Oromasdes reign’d o’er man:

The far Egyptian tells Osiris’ praise,

Governing all in peace, ere rude revolt began.

And wilt thou God’s own Paradise deny,

When e’en the heathen tales affirm it ceaselessly?

Ann Flinders.