Poem 7

“Here finished he, and all that he had made Viewed, and behold! all was entirely good. So even and morn accomplished the sixth day; Yet not till the Creator, from his work Desisting, though unwearied, up returned, Up to the Heaven of Heavens, his high abode, Thence to behold this new-created World, The addition of his empire⁠—how it showed In prospect from his throne, how good, how fair, Answering his great idea. Up he rode, Followed with acclamation and the sound Symphonious of ten thousand harps, that tuned Angelic harmonies. The Earth, the air Resounded (thou remember’st, for thou heard’st), The heavens and all the constellations rung, The planets in their stations listening stood, While the bright pomp ascended jubilant. ‘Open, ye everlasting gates!’ they sung; ‘Open, ye Heavens, your living doors! let in The great Creator, from his work returned Magnificent, his six days’ work, a World! Open, and henceforth oft; for God will deign To visit oft the dwellings of just men, Delighted, and with frequent intercourse Thither will send his winged messengers On errands of supernal grace.’ So sung The glorious train ascending. He through Heaven, That opened wide her blazing portals, led To God’s eternal house direct the way; A broad and ample road, whose dust is gold, And pavement stars, as stars to thee appear Seen in the Galaxy, that milky way Which nightly as a circling zone thou seest Powdered with stars. And now on Earth the seventh Evening arose in Eden, for the sun Was set, and twilight from the east came on, Forerunning night; when at the holy mount Of Heaven’s high-seated top, the imperial throne Of Godhead, fixed for ever firm and sure, The Filial Power arrived, and sat him down With his great Father; for he also went Invisible, yet stayed (such privilege Hath Omnipresence), and the work ordained, Author and end of all things, and, from work Now resting, blessed and hallowed the seventh day, As resting on that day