The spacious firmament on high
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The spacious firmament on high, with all the blue ethereal sky, and spangled heavens, a shining frame, their great Original proclaim. The unwearied sun from day to day does his Creator's power display; and publishes to every land the work of an almighty hand. Soon as the evening shades prevail, the moon takes up the wondrous tale, and nightly to the listening earth repeats the story of her birth: whilst all the stars that round her burn, and all the planets in their turn, confirm the tidings, as they roll, and spread the truth from pole to pole. What though in solemn silence all move round the dark terrestrial ball? What though no real voice nor sound amid their radiant orbs be found? In reason's ear they all rejoice, and utter forth a glorious voice; for ever singing as they shine, "The hand that made us is divine." |
En! Firmamenti spatia et aetheris caerulea caelique splendentes plagae canunt qua sint origine; dum sol declarat in diem Factoris firmitudinem, omnipotentis et manus demonstrat in terris opus. Ut lucem vesper opprimit, sermonem luna suscipit suamque, ut tellus audiat, nativitatem praedicat; et cuncta circum sidera, seu fixa seu palantia, testantur in cursu suo sonantia ad polum polo. At grave per silentium volvuntur circum hunc globum nec claris vox in orbibus nec verus ullus est sonus: sed audit nostra ratio cantantia cum iubilo divinitusque splendida se facta confitentia. |