Most fair is Earth!
This side sweet Heaven, I think, no thing more fair
Than the still face
She turns to her white sisterhood of space-
The milky blossoms of the fields of air.
Ermined, or in rich guise
Of rainbow draperies,
And emerald crowned, and mystical-with wide
Flowing cloud-gossamer veiled, as is a bride-
Wondrous and beautiful beyond compare.

Most glad is Earth!
No sweeter sounds-save those the angels hear-
Ring through and clear
And vast expanse of ether, than the voices
Wherein my Earth rejoices.
Rustle of leaves and trees,
And water-lullabies,
And song of bird, untaught, and free and wild,
And lisp and laughter of the little child,
And, all glad things above,
The thought, and speech, and heart of perfect love.

Most sad is Earth!
So sad, the face her sisters look upon
Is pale and wan-
Is wan and pale with memory of the Sin
Whence Sorrow entered in;
Through which sweet questioning, and sweet reply,
And love's sweet laughter die-
And jar and jangle of the wrong and pain
Clash in her sweet refrain,
And discord all the strain.

Most blest is Earth!
The gleaming pathway through the heavens spread,
That angels tread,
Thick sown with stars as is her breast with flowers
By April showers,
Holds none so blest! - because of One who came
To burden all the blame,
And turn aside
The curse of sin and death-in that He died.
Most blest is Earth
Of all the Word gave birth-
In that her God so loved her that He gave
His SON to save!