The cold earth closely within herself kept it
Held and hidden by the might of the Holy,
By the King's commandment. Each plant comes,
Brought forth by earth every year,
And the heat of summer for the sons of men.
Every year yields and drys
Over land's wide surface seed and leaflet.
Harvest offers to hands of mortals
Store of ripeness then rain and hailstorm
And snow too comes, soaking the ground
In time of winter, when fierce is weather.
For earth receives every seed-grain,
And makes it swell every season,
And in the spring-time leaves are sprouting.
But the kind Master for mankind's children,
To all that grows gives nurture,
To fruits in the world; brings them forth
When He chooses, Chief of heaven,
And them discovers to the dwellers on earth,
And anon removes, mankind's Saviour.
The Highest Good on His high-seat
Sole King sits, and this world spacious
Does His service; all His subjects
Thence He rules with His reins of leading.
No marvel is this He is God of multitudes,
King and Lord of all that lives,
Fount and First Cause of all His creatures,
Maker and Worker of this our world,
