When sin came among us, and Eden was lone,
The pitying Father was kind ;
For He robbed not the woman of one melting tone,
Nor bade her leave beauty behind.
So, with all her sweet charms and her exquisite grace,
Young Eve left that love-hallowed bower,
Retaining for Adam her beautiful face,
And a voice full of pathos and power.

And he, although banished, though exiled for aye,
From shades so enticing to roam,
Was not without hope, for her love was his stay,
And her soft, witching voice was his home.
To soothe him at even with melody sweet
Till the desert around him grew bright,
At morn his awaking with anthems to greet,
Was her mission, her joy and delight.

Thus Woman and Melody gently combined
To banish each lingering regret ;
Though she lured him to err and leave Eden behind,
Resistless, he clings to her yet.
Her voice, full of sweetness, persuasive in love,
Entrancing in cadence or swell,
Still sways him, as when, in that lost Eden grove,
He listened and tasted and fell.