From others he shall stand in need of nothing, What power, what force, what mighty spell, if not 85 90 The next, QUANTITY and QUALITY, spake in prose, then Rivers arise; whether thou be the son of utmost Tweed, or Oose, or gulfy Dun; Or Trent, who like some earth-born giant spreads Or rocky Avon, or of sedgy Lee, Or coaly Tine, or ancient hallowed Dee, Or Humber loud that keeps the Scythian's name, [The rest was prose.] ON THE MORNING OF CHRIST'S NATIVITY. (1629.) 95 100 1. THIS is the month, and this the happy morn For so the holy sages once did sing, la satament prophete That he our deadly forfeit should release, percally And with his Father work us a perpetual peace. eternd f death. 2. That glorious Form, that Light unsufferable, a wont Wherewith he wont at Heav'ns high council-table He laid aside; and here with us to be, And chose with us a darksome house of mortal clay. 3. Say Heav'nly Muse, shall not thy sacred vein ΙΟ talent 15 grains Hast thou no verse, no hymn, or solemn strain, Now while the Heav'n by the sun's team untrod Hath took no print of the approaching light, 20 And all the spangled host keep watch in squadrons bright? 4. See how from far upon the eastern road The star-led wisards haste with odours sweet: hier men anticipat, 0 run, prevent them with thy humble ode, O And lay it lowly at his blessed feet; Have thou the honour first, thy Lord to greet, And join thy voice unto the angel quire, 25 THE HYMN. 1. It was the winter wild, While the Heav'n-born child, All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies: Had doff't her gaudy trim, holiday With her great Master so to sympathize: agrees It was no season then for her To wanton with the sun her lusty paramour. 30 35 Only with speeches fair She woos the gentle Air 2. To hide her guilty front with innocent snow, Pollute with sinful blame, The saintly veil of maiden white to throw; Should look so near upon her foul deformities. But he her fears to cease, 3. to cause to cater Sent down the meek-ey'd Peace; She crown'd with olive green, came softly sliding His ready harbinger, one who preparce socalled With turtle wing the amorous clouds dividing, because ne-And waving wide her myrtle wand, She strikes a universal peace through sea and land. No war, or battle's sound Was heard the world around: The idle spear and shield were high up hung; Unstain'd with hostile blood, The trumpet spake not to the armed throng; But peaceful was the night 5. Wherein the Prince of light whiches. His reign of peace upon the earth began: Whispering new joys to the mild Ocean, While birds of calm sit brooding on the charmed wave. refers to Healyou days. 6. The stars with deep amaze Stand fixt in stedfast gaze, Bending one way their pretious influence; For all the morning light, notwiths if Or Lucifer that often warn'd them thence, Until their Lord himself bespake, and bid them go. 7. And though the shady gloom place Had given day her room, as her pay As his inferior flame The new-enlightn'd world no more should need; 70 75 80 Than his bright throne, or burning axletree could bear. 8. The shepherds on the lawn, open space bet wordt wher sheep are fed. Or ere the point of dawn, Sate simply chatting in a rustic row, Full little thought they than, old form of That the mighty Pan Was kindly come to live with them below; Perhaps their loves, or else their sheep, Was all that did their silly thoughts so busy keep. When such music sweet 9. Their hearts and ears did greet, As never was by mortal finger strook; Divinely-warbled voice them. 90 95 Answering the stringed noise, music, bout of musi Charmed As all their souls in blissful rapture took! The air such pleasure loth to lose, With thousand echoes still prolongs each heav'nly close. 10. Nature that heard such sound Beneath the hollow round Apollo. ΤΟΙ and Actumis were calles byssthine and byuthie Of Cynthia's seat, the airy region thrilling, Now was almost won To think her part was done, And that her reign had here its last fulfilling; 105 Could hold all Heav'n and Earth in happier union. ¿ 11. At last surrounds their sight A globe of circular light, that of nature. ΙΙΟ That with long beams the shame-fac't night array'd; The helmed cherubim And sworded seraphim, Are seen in glittering ranks with wings display'd; With unexpressive notes to Heav'ns new-born Heir. Such music (as 'tis said) Before was never made, 12. But when of old the sons of morning sung; His constellations set, And the well-balanc't world on hinges hung, And cast the dark foundations deep, And bid the weltring waves their oozy channel keep. simply roll 18. Ring out ye crystal spheres, 115 120 125 Once bless our human ears, (If ye have power to touch our senses so,) And let your silver chime Move in melodious time; And let the base of Heav'ns deep organ blow: 130 And with your ninefold harmony for the nine pharet bad Make up full consort to th' angelic symphony. a the only polare in Willon exuptance in Par. Lost) that "ite" is used. There is another place Least Wit It but it is a pruiters Wistake. |