ON THE MORNING OF CHRIST'S NATIVITY.
I.
This is the month, and this the happy morn,
Wherein the Son of Heav'ns eternal King,
Of wedded Maid and Virgin mother born,
Our great redemption from above did bring:
For so the holy Sages once did sing:
That he our deadly forfeit should release,[1]
And with his Father work us a perpetual peace.
II.
The glorious form, that light unsufferable,
And that far-beaming blaze of majesty,
Wherewith he wont[2] at Heav'ns high council-table
To sit the midst of Trinal Unity,
He laid aside; and, here with us to be,
Forsook the courts of everlasting day,
And chose with us a darksome house of mortal clay.[3]
III.
Say, heav'nly muse, shall not thy sacred vein
Afford a present to the Infant God?
Hast thou no vers, no hymn, or solemn strein
To welcome him to this his new abode
Now while the Heav'n by the suns team untrod
Hath took no print of the approaching light,
And all the spangled host keep watch in squadrons bright?
IV.
See how from far upon the eastern rode
The star-led Wisards[4] haste with odours sweet;
O run, prevent[5] them with thy humble ode,
And lay it lowly at his blessed feet;
Have thou the honour first thy Lord to greet,
And join thy voice unto the angel quire,[6]
From out his secret altar toucht with hallow'd fire.