For his disobedience in bale to be burnt, Thy righteousness in right order to show. Each work even as it is wrought Through grace of thy merciful might The cause I see it in sight, Wherefore into bale he is brought. GOD ¶These fools from their fairness in fantasies fell, And made nought of might that marked them and made them; Wherefore as their works were in woe shall they dwell; For some are fallen into filth that evermore shall fade them, And never shall have grace for to shade them. So passing of power they thought them, They would not me worship that made them. Wherefore shall my wrath e'er go with them. And all that me worship shall dwell here, I wis. Wherefore in my work go forward I will, Since their might is marred that meant all amiss, Even to mine own figure this bliss to fulfil. Mankind out of mould will I make. But first before him I create All things that shall strengthen his state, To which his own nature shall take. And in my first making to muster my might, Since earth is vain void and darkness doth dwell, I bid by my blessing the angels give light To the earth, for it faded when fiends fell; In hell never darkness is missing. The darkness thus name I for "night", And "day" do I call this clear light; My after works soon shall ye know. And now in my blessing, I part them in two, The night from the day, so that they meet never, But each on its course their gates for to go. Both the night and the day, do duly your devoir To all I shall work, without ceasing. This day's work is done every deal, And all this work likes me right well, And straightway I give it my blessing. -19- |