Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 274

1850.

Russian Ode to the Deity.

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ART. III. Ode to the Deity. From the Russian.

[The following sublime ode to the Deity, composed by one of the most famous of the Russian poets, has, it is said, been translated into Chinese and Manchu, written on silk and hung in the imperial palace at Peking; and like- wise into Japanese; but we are quite ignorant when or by whom done. A copy of the version into these languages would be of no little value in illus- trating the Chinese ideas and term for God. The English translation by Dr. Bowring gives a high idea of the genius of the Russian author; but if he had been well read in his Bible, we think he would hardly have omitted in this highly-wrought hymn all mention of Him, "who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature."]

O, thou Eternal One! whose presence bright All space doth occupy-all motion guide : Unchang'd through time's all-devastating flight, Thou only God! there is no God beside. Being above all beings! mighty One! Whom none can comprehend and none explore; Who fill'st existence with thyself alone; Embracing all-supporting-ruling o'er— Being whom we call God—and know no more! In its sublime research, Philosophy

May measure out the ocean deep-may count The seeds, or the sun's rays; but God! for Thee There is no weight or measure ; none can mount Up to thy mysteries. Reason's brightest spark, Though kindled by thy light, in vain would try To trace thy councils infinite and dark ; And thought is lost ere thought can soar so high, E'en like past moments in eternity.

Thou from primeval nothingness did'st call, First Chaos, then existence. Lord, on thee Eternity had its foundation; all

Sprung forth from thee; of light, joy, harmony, Sole origin-all life, all beauty thine;

Thy word created al!, and doth create; Thy splendor fills all space with rays divine- Thou art, and wert, and shalt be glorious! great! Life-giving, life-sustaining potentate.

Thy chains the unmeasured universe surround, Upheld by thee, by thee inspired with breath! Thou the beginning with the end hast bound, And beautifully mingled life and death!

As sparks mount upward from the fiery blaze, So suns are born, so worlds spring forth from thee !

And as the spangles in the sunny rays

Shine round the silver snow, the pageantry Of heaven's bright army glitters in thy praise.

A million torches, lighted by thy hand,

Wander unwearied through the blue abyss; They own thy power, accomplish thy command,

All gay with life, all eloquent with bliss.

What shall we call them? piles of crystal light-- A glorious company of golden streams

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