When on Her Maker’s Bosom

When on her mak­er’s bo­som

The new-born earth was laid

And na­ture’s op­en­ing blos­som

Its fair­est bloom dis­played;

When all with fruit and flow­ers

The laugh­ing soil was dressed

And Ed­en’s frag­rant bow­ers

Received their hu­man guest:

No sin his face de­fil­ing

The heir of na­ture stood

And God

be­nign­ly smil­ing

Beheld that all was good.

Yet in that hour of bless­ing

A sin­gle want was known—

A wish the heart dis­tress­ing—

For Ad­am was alone.

God of pure af­fect­ion

By men and saints adored

Who gav­est Thy pro­tect­ion

To Cana’s nu­pti­al board

May such Thy boun­ties ev­er

To wed­ded love be shown

And no rude hand dis­sev­er

Whom Thou hast linked in one.