Original - Duke Divinity School

I, sacred Wisdom, am more precious far
Than purest Gold, or costly Rubies are. …
From inexhausted Springs my Riches flow,
The more I give, I more abundant grow:
Love shall from me Returns of Love obtain,
And none, that seek me early, seek in vain:
I bring my Votaries untainted Joys,
Which nor Enjoyment palls, nor Time destroys;
Forbidden Pleasures in Remorse conclude,
But I, to make you happy, make you good. …
But why thus boast I Pow’r, weak Man, o’er thee!
Ev’n God vouchsafes to take Delight in me,
Me he possess’d from all Eternity.
While all Things yet did in their Causes lie,
Before his glorious Works of old, Was I;
E’er this fair Earth arose at his Command,
And felt the forming Power of his Almighty Hand.
E’er yet the watry Stores, that scatter’d lay,
Into one Heap collected form’d a Sea;
E’er Chrystal Springs did thro’ the Vallies flow,
Dispersing goodly Plenty as they go;
E’er the gay Meads adorn’d with Flow’rs were seen,
Or smiling Fields array’d in cheerful Green;
Nor had the Mountain rais’d its tow’ring Brow,
And swell’d with Pride o’erlook’d the Plain below.
I then did on the Almighty Presence wait,
When he went forth his Wonders to create;
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