THE ANNUNCIATION. UNTO the music of the spheres Let men and angels join in consort theirs. From heaven to earth Is seldom seen Attired in so much glory : A message welcomer, Fraught with more mirth, Hath never been Subject of any story. This by a double right, if any, may The making of the world ne'er cost Was made straightway So as He saw it good: But ere that He could see A course to bring Man gone astray To the place where He stood, His wisdom, with His mercy, for man's sake, And the result was this day's news, By him 'twas told, Conceive and bear, As sure as God was true. Such high place in His favour she possessed, But blest especially in this, That she believed, and for eternal bliss Relied on Him, whom she Herself should bear, And her own son Took for her Saviour. And if there any be, That when they hear, As she had done Suit their behaviour, They may be blessed, as she was, and say 'Tis their Annunciation-day. Christopher Harvey. OUR hearts, O blessed God, incline Which for our sakes vouchsafed was. As with our nature Thou wert clad, And so to mind what Thou hast done, That we may praise Thee, and be glad. For Thou not only heldst it meet And bring the message of Thy love; Those glories none can comprehend (Nor any mortal eyes abide), Into her womb Thou didst descend. Bestow Thou also Thy respect On our despised and low degree; George Wither. OF royal line, of holy heart, But poor, and mean, and lowly bred, Was she upon whose mother-breast The Lord Christ laid His infant head. Beneath no lofty palace-roof The flower was nursed all bright and pure, Within whose fragrant cup lay hid That precious seed, a whole world's cure. Beside the poor man's humble door He said, "Hail, highly favoured maid!" He spake of God's mysterious will; While marvelled much the maiden mild, As the rapt stranger gladly poured The wonders of her heaven-sent Child. Then meekly bowed the Virgin's head, Behold the handmaid of the Lord!" ; Most loved, most favoured, whose young arm Above all earthly creatures blest. Alas! that human hearts have erred, We bless her with a meeter love, And think the while, with awful praise, Who said, "Yea, rather blest are they Who hear My word, and choose My ways." C. F. H. |