TEXT
Translation by Robert Shaw and Alice Parker

PART III

27. Recitative
Uriel 
In rosy mantle, bright awaked by sweetest tones, 
the morning young and fair.
From heaven’s vaulted realm 
streams purest harmony to earth below.
Behold the happy pair as hand in hand they go: 
as from their eyes radiant shines 
the thanks they owe. 
Full soon their tongues shall tell 
the louder praise of God. 
Let then our voices ring united with their song!

28. Hymn
Eve (Soprano), Adam (Baritone) 
By thee with grace, O bounteous Lord, 
are earth and heaven stored. 
This world, so great, so wonderful, 
thy mighty hand has framed.

Chorus 
O blessed be his holy might; 
his praise we sing eternally.

Adam 
Thou star of morning, 
O how fair thy tidings of the day; 
What radiance rare, O sun, is thine, 
thou eye and soul of all!

Chorus 
Proclaim in your extended course, 
your maker’s power and glory bright!

Eve
And thou, the tender queen of night, 
and all ye starry host, 
proclaim in every land 
his praise in heaven’s harmonies!

Adam 
Ye mighty elements, 
by his power your endless changes make; 
ye misty vapors,
which the wind doth spin and roll through air,

Eve, Adam, Chorus 
O sing the praise of God the Lord. 
Great is his name, and great his might.

Eve 
Soft flowing fountains, 
tune his praise, and trees adoring bow. 
Ye fragrant plants, ye flowers fair, 
with sweetness fill the air!

Adam 
Ye that on highest mountains climb, 
and ye that lowly creep, 
ye whose flight doth cleave the skies, 
and ye that swim the deep,

Eve, Adam, Chorus 
Ye, ye creatures of our God and King, 
praise, praise him, all ye breathing life!

Eve, Adam
Ye shadowed woods, ye hills and vales, 
your thanks with ours unite 
and echo loud from morn to eve 
our joyful hymn of praise.

Chorus 
Hail, mighty God, Creator, hail!
The world springs forth at thy command. 
Adoring earth and heaven stand. 
We praise thy name for evermore.

29. Recitative
Adam 
Now is our duty well fulfilled; 
our maker have we duly thanked. 
Now follow me, companion of my life! 
Thy guide I’ll be, and every step 
wakes new delight within my breast, 
shows wonders everywhere. 
Then surely thou shalt know 
what boundless realms of joy 
the Lord hath given us. 
Him praise we evermore, 
him serve with heart and mind. 
Come, follow me! Thy guide I’ll be.

Eve 
O thou for whom I live! 
My arm, my shield, my all!
Thy will is duty’s blessing. 
So doth our Lord ordain; 
That I should heed thee and bring you comfort 
is my joy and glory.

30. Duet
Adam 
Sweet companion! here beside thee 
softly fly the golden hours. 
Every moment is rapture; 
naught of sadness lingers near.

Eve 
Dearest husband! here beside thee 
floods of joy o’erflow my heart. 
That thou love me is my blessing; 
thine forever is my life.

Adam
The dew-freshened morning, O bright awakening!

Eve
The coolness of evening, sweetly restoring!

Adam
How rich the taste of round and ripened fruit!

Eve
How charming the scent of gay and fragrant flower!

Eve, Adam 
But without thee, what is to me: 
the morning dew? 
the evening cool? 
the ripened fruit? 
the fragrant flower?

With thee is every joy exalted; 
with thee, delight is ever new; 
with thee is rapture everlasting. 
Thine be my love and life.

31. Recitative
Uriel 
O happy pair! and happy evermore 
if false conceit betray ye not, 
the more to covet than ye have 
and more to know than ye should.

32. Chorus with Soloists
Sing to God, ye hosts unnumbered! 
Thanks, all thanks for wonders new created!
Praise his name in song unending, 
loud in festival rejoicing!

The Lord is great; he reigns for evermore. 
Amen.