Earth heard the loud, the solemn sound,
And started from her utmost bound,
And Darkness, on his ebon car,
Spread his black wings, and fled afar;
The dun clouds opened with affright,
And hailed the burst of life and light!

''Tis light! 'tis light!' the mountains rung,
''Tis light! 'tis light!' the valleys sung!
The stars beheld its dawning bright,
The spheres confessed the Godhead's might,
While Nature's universal voice
Proclaimed aloud, 'Rejoice! rejoice!'