INTRODUCTION

O GOD, Thou art my God,
early will I seek Thee.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord,
who gatheredst the water into the sea,
and broughtest to sight the earth,
and madest to sprout
herb and fruit‑tree.
There are the depths and the sea
as on an heap,
lakes, rivers, springs;
earth, continent, and isles,
mountains, hills, and valleys;
glebe, meadows, glades,
green pasture, corn, and hay;
herbs and flowers
for food, enjoyment, medicine;
fruit‑trees bearing
wine, oil, and spices,
and trees for wood;
and things beneath the earth,
stones, metals, minerals, coal,
blood and fire, and vapour of smoke.