UNIV. OF

CREATION'S PSALM.

A DEEP-BASSED, thunder-rolling psalm Sweeps thro' the reeded throat of Time, And charms the ear of every clime With music of the great "I Am."

It drags the planets in their orbs,
And smites the sun, and shakes the

stars,

And strikes the rocky-bedded bars, And beats about the aerial curbs!

Creation chants the nameless Name; The winging worlds in chorus ring; The great lands shout; the huge seas sing;

The thundering heavens roar, “I Am!” SWITHIN SAINT SWITHAINE,

MAKING OF MAN.

Al-Muzawwir! the "Fashioner!" say thus;

Still lauding Him who hath compounded us.

WHEN the Lord would fashion men,

Spake He in the Angels' hearing, "Lo! Our will is there shall be

On the earth a creature bearing
Rule and royalty. To-day
We will shape a man from clay."

Spake the Angels, "Wilt Thou make
Man who must forget his Maker,
Working evil, shedding blood,

Of Thy precepts the forsaker? But Thou knowest all, and we Celebrate Thy majesty."

Answered Allah, "Yea! I know
What ye know not of this making;
Gabriel! Michael! Israfil!

Go down to the earth, and taking
Seven clods of colors seven,
Bring them unto Me in Heaven."

Then those holy Angels three

Spread their pinions and descended; Seeking clods of diverse clay,

That all colors might be blended; Yellow, tawny, dun, black, brown, White and red, as men are known. But the earth spake, sore afraid,

"Angels! of my substance take not; Give me back my dust, and pray

That the dread Creator make not Man, for he will sin, and bring Wrath on me and suffering." Therefore, empty-handed came Gabriel, Michael, Israfil, Saying, "Lord! Thy earth imploreth Man may never on her dwell; 'He will sin and anger Thee, Give me back my clay!' cried she." Spake the Lord to Azrael,

"Go thou, who of wing art surest, Tell my earth this shall be well; Bring those clods, which thou pro

curest

From her bosom, unto Me;
Shape them as I order thee."
Thus 'tis written how the Lord
Fashioned Adam for His glory,
Whom the Angels worshipped,

All save Iblis; and this story
Teacheth wherefore Azrael saith,
"Come thou!" at man's hour of death.
EDWIN ARNOLD (1832-1904).