The drowsy nurse hath sworn she did them spy She heard them give thee this, that thou shouldst still Yet there is something that doth force my fear; O'er all his brethren he shall reign as king; And peace shall lull him in her flowery lap; To harbour those that are at enmity." What power, what force, what mighty spell, if not 70 80 90 The next, QUANTITY and QUALITY, spake in prose: then RELATION was called by his name. Rivers, arise whether thou be the son Of utmost Tweed, or Ouse, or gulfy Dun, Or Trent, who, like some earth-born giant, spreads Or coaly Tyne, or ancient hallowed Dee, Or Humber loud, that keeps the Scythian's name, The rest was prose. 100 ON THE MORNING OF CHRIST'S NATIVITY. Composed 1629. I. THIS is the month, and this the happy morn, That he our deadly forfeit should release, II. That glorious form, that light unsufferable, And that far-beaming blaze of majesty, Wherewith he wont at Heaven's high council-table He laid aside, and, here with us to be, Forsook the courts of everlasting day, And chose with us a darksome house of mortal clay. III. Say, Heavenly Muse, shall not thy sacred vein Hast thou no verse, no hymn, or solemn strain, To welcome him to this his new abode, Now while the heaven, by the Sun's team untrod, Hath took no print of the approaching light, And all the spangled host keep watch in squadrons bright? IV. See how from far upon the eastern road The star-led wizards haste with odours sweet! And lay it lowly at his blessed feet; Have thou the honour first thy Lord to greet, From cut his secret altar touched with hallowed fire. 10 20 It was the winter wild, While the heaven-born child All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies; 3 Had doffed her gaudy trim, With her great Master so to sympathize: 3 To wanton with the Sun, her lusty paramour. II. Only with speeches fair 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. 111. But he, her fears to cease, Sent down the meek-eyed Peace : She, crowned with olive green, came softly sliding His ready harbinger, With turtle wing the amorous clouds dividing; And, waving wide her myrtle wand, She strikes a universal peace through sea and land. IV. No war, or battle's sound, Was heard the world around; The idle spear and shield were high uphung; Unstained with hostile blood; The trumpet spake not to the armèd throng; As if they surely knew their sovran Lord was by. V. But peaceful was the night His reign of peace upon the earth began. Smoothly the waters kissed, Whispering new joys to the mild Ocean, Who now hath quite forgot to rave, While birds of calm sit brooding on the charmèd wave. VI. The stars, with deep amaze, Bending one way their precious influence, For all the morning light, Or Lucifer that often warned them thence; But in their glimmering orbs did glow, Until their Lord himself bespake, and bid them go. VII. And, though the shady gloom Had given day her room, The Sun himself withheld his wonted speed, And hid his head for shame, As his inferior flame The new-enlightened world no more should need: He saw a greater Sun appear 70 not only stars Than his bright throne or burning axletree could bear. Golden Age: VIII. The shepherds on the lawn, Or ere the point of dawn, Sat simply chatting in a rustic rɔw; Full little thought they than That the mighty Pan Perhaps their loves, or else their sheep, bret the 80 Was kindly come to live with them below: 90 Was all that did their silly thoughts so busy keep. When such music sweet IX. Their hearts and ears did greet Answering the stringed noise, As all their souls in blissful rapture took : The air, such pleasure loth to lose, With thousand echoes still prolongs each heavenly close. X. Nature, that heard such sound 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: She knew such harmony alone Could hold all Heaven and Earth in happier union. 99 Are seen in glittering ranks with wings displayed, Harping in loud and solemn quire, With unexpressive notes, to Heaven's new-born Heir. XII. Such music (as 'tis said) never before how such music bens heard but at But when of old the Sons of Morning sung, preation- dus While the Creator great His constellations set, میں مذ And the well-balanced World on hinges hung, And cast the dark foundations deep, re 120 creation of the world And bid the weltering waves their oozy channel keep. |