When that dire signal shall be given, Then He, pre-eminently bright, Then, Salem, thou shalt taste in pain The lightnings of His cross, and find Whom, through thy spite, the grave could bind, But not the grave itself detain. J. R. S. (from the Latin). "RUN, shepherds, run, where Bethlehem blest appears, We bring the best of news, be not dismayed, A Saviour there is born, more old than years, Amidst heaven's rolling heights this earth who stayed; A weakling did Him bear, who all upbears; There is He poorly swaddled, in manger laid, To whom too narrow swaddlings are our spheres: Run, shepherds, run, and solemnise His birth. This is that night,-no, day grown great with bliss, In heaven be glory, peace unto the earth.” Thus singing through the air the angels swam, William Drummond. "O THAN the fairest day, thrice fairer night! Is but a sparkling ray, a shadow light: And blessed ye, in silly pastors' sight, Mild creatures, in whose warm crib now lies Blest cottage that hath flowers in winter spread, Thus sang, unto the sounds of oaten reed, Ir was the calm and silent night! Seven hundred years and fifty-three Had Rome been growing up to might, And now was queen of land and sea! Held undisturbed their ancient reign, 'Twas in the calm and silent night! The senator of haughty Rome Impatient urged his chariot's flight, From lordly revel rolling home! Triumphal arches, gleaming, swell His breast with thoughts of boundless sway: What recked the Roman what befel A paltry province far away, In the solemn midnight, Within that province far away, Went plodding home a weary boor; A streak of light before him lay, Fallen through a half-shut stable-door Across his path. He paused, for nought Told what was going on within : How keen the stars! his only thought; Oh, strange indifference! — low and high, Drowsed over common joys and cares ; The earth was still, but knew not why; The world was listening-unawares! How calm a moment may precede One that shall thrill the world for ever! Man's doom was linked, no more to sever, It is the calm and silent night! A thousand bells ring out, and throw The darkness-charmed and holy now! For in the stable lay, new-born, The peaceful Prince of earth and heaven, Alfred Domett. No room for Judah's daughter, David's Heir, Or in the crowded khan or halls of mirth, |