Evil from good; their fervid souls embraced
With virtue’s proudest homage, to o’erflowing,
The mind’s inviolate majesty. The past
To them was not a darkness; but was glowing
With splendour which all time had not o’ercast;
Streaming unbroken from creation’s birth,
When God communed and walked with men on earth.
Stupid idolatry had never dimmed
The Almighty image in their lucid thought.
To Him alone their zealous praise was hymned;