I ask’d the Heavens— “What foe to God hath done
This unexampled deed?”—The Heavens exclaim,
“‘Twas Man! and we in horror snatch’d the sun
From such a spectacle of guilt and shame.”
I ask’d the Sea—the Sea in fury boil’d,
And answer’d with his voice of storms—
“‘Twas Man! My waves in panic at his crime recoil’d,
Disclosed the abyss, and from the center ran.”
I ask’d the Earth; the Earth replied aghast:
“‘Twas Man! and such strange pangs my bosom rent,
That still I groan and shudder at the past.”
To Man, gay, smiling, thoughtless Man, I went,
And asked him next—He turned a scornful eye,
Shook his proud head, and deigned me no reply.
JAMES MONTGOMERY