Repeated Eden

O pure were the waters of Aidenn,
    That shone in the smile of the Lord;
And pure was the lily, with odors o’er-laden,
That drank of the wave, as a blithe little maiden,
    Whose sweetness is virtue’s reward.

Yet as clear are the brooks that are leaping,
    With carols of joy, to our dales’
As sweet is the lily, whose censer is steeping
Our airs with delight, as when Nature was keeping
    Her Sabbath in Paradise vales!

The rills and the fountains forever
    Shine clear in the smile of the lord;
And creatures that drink at the urn of the river
Hold fast by the gift of the Beautiful Giver,
    Whose bounty is Virtue’s reward.

But alas, for the youth and the maiden
    Who sip at the fountain of sin, —
The red-flashing cup with its wine-venom laden;
They live to restore but the serpent of Aidenn, 
    Whose sting is the guerdon they win!