Poems (Helen Jenkins)/Via Lactea
VIA LACTEA.
When night her canopy unfolds,
This wonder every eye beholds.—
A pathway through the heavens broad;
Even the footprints of our God!
This wonder every eye beholds.—
A pathway through the heavens broad;
Even the footprints of our God!
When first the stars together sang,
And the whole host exultant rang,
His holy feet this pathway traced,
Which age on age hath ne'er effaced.
And the whole host exultant rang,
His holy feet this pathway traced,
Which age on age hath ne'er effaced.
His power the mighty plan defined,—
Millions of shining orbs combined
Their dazzling light; planet and sun
Through infinite space together run.
Millions of shining orbs combined
Their dazzling light; planet and sun
Through infinite space together run.
The eye of man, unaided, sought in vain
Their mingled light to separate, explain.
His bold research the telescope assists,
And now resolves those brilliant, shining mists.
Their mingled light to separate, explain.
His bold research the telescope assists,
And now resolves those brilliant, shining mists.
Whene'er we scan the starry sky, we see
New forms of grandeur and immensity.
At every point, such glorious truths unroll,
Amazement, wonder overwhelms the soul!
New forms of grandeur and immensity.
At every point, such glorious truths unroll,
Amazement, wonder overwhelms the soul!
He whom alone the heavenly hosts obey,
Ordained the sun to be our light by day.
He gives the moon and stars their lesser light
To illuminate and beautify the night.
Ordained the sun to be our light by day.
He gives the moon and stars their lesser light
To illuminate and beautify the night.