Ah, the most ancient time,
When God and man were friends,
And earth was rounded with a summer clime,
And the dull doubt that lends
Sorrow to life was all a thing unknown.
Before those hours had flown
God walked at eventide thro' Eden's shade
And spoke to man, and man was not afraid.
Cannot that time return?
Is it not here, for those
Who from the strong still work of God can learn
His grandeur of repose?
A day with him is as a myriad years,
A tear outweighs the spheres,
And as he walked 'neath Eden's mystic tree
In the cool eventide he walks with me.