She, crowned with olive green, came softly sliding Down through the turning sphere, 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. Nor war, or battle's sound Was heard the world around: The idle spear and shield were high up hung; The hooked chariot stood, Unstained with hostile blood: The trumpet spake not to the armed throng; And kings sat still with awful eye, As if they surely knew their sovereign Lord was by. 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, Whispering new joys to the mild ocean, Who now hath quite forgot to rave, While birds of calm sit brooding on the charmed wave. The stars, with deep amaze, Stand fixed in steadfast gaze, Bending one way their precious influence; And will not take their flight, 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. THE NATIVITY. 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 121 Than his bright throne, or burning axletree, could bear. The shepherds on the lawn, Or e'er the point of dawn, Sat simply 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 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 Answering the stringed noise, As all their souls in blissful rapture took; The air, such pleasures loath to lose, With thousand echoes still prolongs each heavenly close. Nature that heard such sound, Beneath the hollow round 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. At last surrounds their sight A globe of circular light, That with long beams the shamefaced night arrayed; The helmed cherubim, And sworded seraphim, Are seen in glittering ranks with wings displayed; Harping in loud and solemn choir, With unexpressive notes to Heaven's new-born Heir. Such music (as 't is said) Before was never made, But when of old the sons of morning sung, While the Creator great His constellation set, And the well balanced world on hinges hung; And cast the dark foundations deep, And bid the weltering waves their oozy channel keep. Ring out, ye crystal spheres, Once bless our human ears, to touch our senses so;) (If have ye power And let your silver chime Move in melodious time, And let the base of Heaven's deep organ blow; And, with your ninefold harmony, Make up full concert to the angelic symphony. For if such holy song And leprous Sin will melt from earthly mould; And hell itself will pass away, And leave her dolorous mansions to the peering day. Yea, Truth and Justice then Will down return to men, Orbed in a rainbow; and, like glories wearing, Mercy will sit between, Throned in celestial sheen; With radiant feet the tissued clouds down steering; And Heaven, as at some festival, Will open wide the gates of her high palace hall. But wisest Fate says no, This must not yet be so, The babe yet lies in smiling infancy, That on the bitter cross Must redeem our loss: So both himself and us to glorify: Yet first to those ychained in sleep, The wakeful trump of doom must thunder through the deep. THE MOONLIGHT HOUR. BYRON. THERE is a dangerous silence in that hour, Of calling wholly back its self-control; THE SOUL'S INFLUENCE. FROM "THE NEW TIMON." HIS very form assumed unwonted grace, |
