So clear, as in no face with more delight. But, O, as to embrace me she inclined, [night. I waked; she fled; and day brought back my END OF SONNETS. ODES. ON THE MORNING OF CHRIST'S NATIVITY. كل That he our deadly forfeit should release, And with his Father work us a perpetual peace. That glorious form, that light insufferable, He laid aside; and here with us to be, Forsook the courts of everlasting day, [clay. And chose with us a darksome house of mortal Say, heavenly Muse, shall not thy sacred vein Afford a present to the Infant God? 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? See, how from far, upon the eastern road, Have thou the honour first thy Lord to greet, And join thy voice unto the angel quire, [fire. From out his secret altar touch'd with hallow'd All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies; b Nature, in awe to him, Had doff'd her gaudy trim, With her great Master so to sympathize: It was no season then for her To wanton with the sun, her lusty paramour. Only with speeches fair She woos the gentle air To hide her guilty front with innocent snow; And on her naked shame, Pollute with sinful blame, The saintly veil of maiden white to throw; Confounded, that her Maker's eyes Should look so near upon her foul deformities. But he, her fears to cease, Sent down the meek-eyed Peace: She, crown'd with olive green, came softly slidDown through the turning sphere, His ready harbinger, [ing With turtle wing the amorous clouds dividing; 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; The hooked chariot stood Unstain'd with hostile blood; The trumpet spake not to the armed throng; And kings sat still with awful eye, [by. As if they surely knew their sovereign Lord was 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 kiss'd, Whispering new joys to the wild ocean, Who now hath quite forgot to rave, [wave. While birds of calm sit brooding on the charmed The stars, with deep amaze, Stand fix'd in steadfast gaze, Bending one way their precious influence: And will not take their flight, For all the morning light, Or Lucifer, that often warn'd them thence; But in their glimmering orbs did glow, Until their Lord himself bespake, and bid them go. 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-enlighten'd world no more should need: He saw a greater sun appear [bear. Than his bright throne, or burning axletree could The shepherds on the lawn, Or e'er the point of dawn, Sat simply chatting in a rustic row; Full little thought they than, 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 Their hearts and ears did greet, As never was by mortal finger strook; Divinely-warbled voice Answered the stringed noise, As all their souls in blissful rapture took: The air, such pleasure loath to lose, [close. With thousand echoes still prolongs each heavenly |