“Who hath begotten the drops of dew?”—JOB xxxviii, 28.
I.
Who hath begotten the drops of dew?
Tell, if you can, the tale of their birth;
Have the stars from Heaven come down to woo
The flowers, the beautiful daughters of earth?
II.
Who hath begotten the drops of dew?
Have angels open’d the pearly doors,
And, leaving their streets of golden hue,
Blest with their footsteps our grassy floors?
III.
Who hath begotten the drops of dew?
Doth not each orb in its bosom bear
Ruby and topaz and sapphire blue,
And all the colours that angels wear?
IV.
Who hath begotten the drops of dew?
Are they the tears of the saints above,
Returned to visit the scenes they knew,
And to weep and pray for some earthly love?
V.
Who hath begotten the drops of dew?
Who, the good that in all things lies?
Who, the primal beauty that grew
Into myriad forms in Paradise?
VI.
Who hath begotten the drops of dew?
Tell, if you can, the tale of their birth;
Are they not, children of men, with you,
Sons of the Lord of Heaven and Earth?