There was an awful rainbow once in heaven;
We know her woof, her texture; she is given
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There was an awful rainbow once in heaven;
We know her woof, her texture; she is given
In the dull catalogue of common things.
Philosophy will clip an Angel's wings.

And, lo! in the dark east, expanded high,
The rainbow brightens to the setting Sun.

And, lo! in the dark east, expanded high,
The rainbow brightens to the setting Sun.

Mild arch of promise! on the evening sky
Thou shinest fair with many a lovely ray,
Each read more

Mild arch of promise! on the evening sky
Thou shinest fair with many a lovely ray,
Each in the south melting.

God loves an idle rainbow,
No less than laboring seas.

God loves an idle rainbow,
No less than laboring seas.

Bright pledge of peace and sunshine! the sure tie
Of thy Lord's hand, the object of His eye!
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Bright pledge of peace and sunshine! the sure tie
Of thy Lord's hand, the object of His eye!
When I behold thee, though my light be dim,
Distinct, and low, I can in thine see Him
Who looks upon thee from His glorious throne,
And minds the covenant between all and One.

Over her hung a canopy of state,
Not of rich tissue, nor of spangled gold,
But of read more

Over her hung a canopy of state,
Not of rich tissue, nor of spangled gold,
But of a substance, though not animate,
Yet of a heavenly and spiritual mould,
That only eyes of spirits might behold.

O beautiful rainbow;--all woven of light!
There's not in thy tissue one shadow of night;
Heaven surely read more

O beautiful rainbow;--all woven of light!
There's not in thy tissue one shadow of night;
Heaven surely is open when thou dost appear.
And, bending thee above, the angels draw near,
And sing,--"The rainbow! the rainbow!
The smile of God is here."

'Tis sweet to listen as the night winds creep
From leaf to leaf; 'tis sweet to view on high
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'Tis sweet to listen as the night winds creep
From leaf to leaf; 'tis sweet to view on high
The rainbow, based on ocean, span the sky.

Triumphal arch, that fill'st the sky
When storms prepare to part,
I ask not proud Philosophy
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Triumphal arch, that fill'st the sky
When storms prepare to part,
I ask not proud Philosophy
To teach me what thou art.