| |
| EVIL, if rightly understood, | |
| Is but the Skeleton of Good, | |
| Divested of its Flesh and Blood. | |
| |
| While it remains without Divorce, | |
| Within its hidden, secret Source | 5 |
| It is the Good’s own Strength and Force. | |
| |
| As Bone has the supporting Share, | |
| In human Form divinely fair, | |
| Altho’ an Evil when laid bare; | |
| |
| As Light and Air are fed by Fire, | 10 |
| A shining Good, while all conspire, | |
| But (separate) dark, raging Ire; | |
| |
| As Hope and Love arise from Faith, | |
| Which then admits no ill, nor hath; | |
| But, if alone, it would be Wrath; | 15 |
| |
| Or any Instance thought upon, | |
| In which the Evil can be none, | |
| Till Unity of Good is gone; | |
| |
| So, by Abuse of Thought and skill | |
| The greatest Good, to wit, Free-will, | 20 |
| Becomes the Origin of Ill. | |
| |
| Thus, when rebellious Angels fell, | |
| The very Heav’n where good ones dwell | |
| Became th’ apostate Spirits’ Hell. | |
| |
| Seeking, against Eternal Right, | 25 |
| A Force with a Love and Light, | |
| They found, and felt its Evil Might. | |
| |
| Thus Adam, biting at their Bait | |
| Of Good and Evil when he ate, | |
| Died to his first three-happy State; | 30 |
| |
| Fell to the Evils of this ball, | |
| Which, in harmonious Union all | |
| Were Paradise before his Fall; | |
| |
| And, when the Life of Christ in men | |
| Revives its faded Image, then | 35 |
| Will all be Paradise again. | |
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