Proud world (said I), cease your contest,
And let the mighty Babe alone;
The Phœnix builds the Phœnix nest,
Love's architecture is all one.
The Babe whose birth embraves this morn
Made his own bed ere he was born.
Chorus.—The Babe whose birth, etc.
Tityrus.
I saw the curl'd drops, soft and slow,
Come hovering o'er the place's head,
Offering their whitest sheets of snow
To furnish the fair Infant's bed:
Forbear (said I), be not too bold;
Your fleece is white, but 'tis too cold.
Chorus.—Forbear (said I), etc.
Thyrsis.
I saw the obsequious seraphins
Their rosy fleece of fire bestow;
For well they now can spare their wings,
Since heaven itself lies here below:
Well done (said I), but are you sure
Your down so warm will pass for pure.
Chorus.—Well done (said I), etc.
Tityrus.
No, no, your king's not yet to seek
Where to repose his royal head;
See, see, how soon his new-bloom'd cheek
Twixt's mother's breasts is gone to bed:
Sweet choice (said I), no way but so,
Not to lie cold, yet sleep in snow.
Chorus.—Sweet choice (said I), etc.
Both.
We saw thee in thy balmy nest,
Bright dawn of our eternal day!
We saw thine eyes break from their East
And chase the trembling shades away;
We saw thee, and we blest the sight,
We saw thee by thine own sweet light.
Chorus.—We saw thee, etc.
Full Chorus.