When God created earth and skies,
And nothing bade to being rise,
Last of the creatures of the earth,
Man from his hands deriv'd his birth:
To thee, said he, this earth I give,
And make thee Lord of all that live.
But man, supreme of all though crown'd,
No pleasure in dominion found;
What is 't to him, that all obey,
If none there are to share his sway?
Of all the world affords possest,
He felt a void within his breast.
Man is alone, for him, God said,
Let's make an help,—and woman made;
Thus Eve was to her husband giv'n,
The last and dearest gift of heav'n.