III. Say, heav'nly Muse, shall not thy facred vein Haft thou no verse, no hymn, or folemn strain, Now while the Heav'n by the fun's team untrod, Hath took no print of the approaching light, 20 And all the fpangled host keep watch in squadrons IV. [bright? See how from far upon the castern road The Hymn. 25 I. Ir was the winter wild, While the Heav'n-born child All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies; Nature in awe to him Had dofft her gaudy trim, With her great Master so to sypathize: It was no feason then for her To wanton with the fun her lufty paramour. 30 35 IR Only with fpeeches fair She woo's the gentle Air To hide her guilty front with innocent fnow, And on her naked shame, Pollute with finful blame, The faintly veil of maiden white to throw, Confounded, that her Maker's eyes Should look fo near upon her foul deformities. 40 45 She, crown'd with olive green, came foftly fliding Down through the turning sphere His ready harbinger, With turtle wing the amorous clouds dividing, 50 And waving wide her myrtle wand, She strikes an univerfal peace through sea and land. IV. No war, or battel's found. Was heard the world around: The idle fpear and shield were high up hung, 55 The hooked chariot flood, Unftain'd with hostile blood, The trumpet fpake not to the armed throng, And kings fat ftill with aweful eÿé, ' As if they furely knew their fovran Lord was by. 60 V. But peaceful was the night, Wherein the Prince of Light His reign of peace upon the earth began: The winds with wonder whist Smoothly the waters kist, Whifp'ring new joys to the mild ocean, Who now hath quite forgot to rave, 65 While birds of calm fit brooding on the charmed wave. 75 But in their glimmering orbs did glow, Until their Lord himself befpake and bid them go. VII. And though the shady Gloom Had given Day her room, The fun himself withheld his wonted speed And hid his head for shame, As his inferior flame 80 The new-inlighten'd world no more should need; He faw a greater fun appear Than his bright throne, or burning axletree could bear, VII. The shepherds on the lawn,' Or e'er the point of dawn, Sat fimply chatting in a rustic row: Full little thought they then, That the mighty Pan Was kindly come to live with them below; Perhaps their loves, or else their sheep,' Was all that did their filly thoughts fo bufy keep. When fuch music sweet IXT Their hearts and ears did greet, 90 As never was by mortal finger strook, 95 Divinely-warbled voice Anfw'ring the stringed noise, As all their fouls in blissful rapture took: 99 The air fuch pleafure loth to lofe, With thoufand echoes ftill prolongs each heav'nly. X." Nature that heard fuch found, Beneath the hollow round Of Cynthia's feat, the aery region thrilling, Now was almost won To think her part was done, [clofe. And that her reign had here its last fulfilling; She knew fuch harmony alone 105. Could hold all Heav'n and Earth in happier union. Are feen in glittering ranks with wings display'd, Harping in loud and folemn quire, un 115. With unexpreffive notes) to Heav'n's new-born Heir, Such mufic (as 'tis faid) Before was never made, XIK But when of old the fons of Morning fung, While the Creator great His conftellations fet, And the well-balanc'd world on hinges hung, And caft the dark foundations deep, 120 And bid the weltring waves their oozy channel keep. Ring out ye crystal spheres, Once blefs our human ears, (If ye have power to touch our fenfes fo) And let your filver chime Move in melodious time, 125' And let the bafe of Heav'n's deep organ blow, 130 And with your ninefold: harmony, Make up full confort to th' angelic fymphony. |