Her that dares be What these lines wish to see; I seek no further, it is She. "Tis She, and here, Lo! I unclothe and clear My wishes' cloudy character. May she enjoy it Whose merit dare apply it, But modesty dares still deny it! Such worth as this is Shall fix my flying wishes, And determine them to kisses. Let her full glory, My fancies, fly before ye; Be ye my fictions:-but her story. QUEM VIDISTIS PASTORES, ETC. A HYMN OF THE NATIVITY, SUNG BY THE SHEPHERDS Chorus COME, we shepherds whose blest sight Come lift we up our loftier song, And wake the sun that lies too long. To all our world of well-stol'n joy He slept, and dreamt of no such thing, Tell him we now can show him more Which to be seen needs not his light: Tityrus Gloomy night embraced the place The babe looked up, and showed His face; It was Thy day, sweet, and did rise, Not from the East, but from Thine eyes. Chorus. It was Thy day, sweet, and did rise, Not from the East, but from Thine eyes. Thyrsis Winter chid aloud, and sent The angry North to wage his wars : The North forgot his fierce intent, And left perfumes instead of scars. By those sweet eyes' persuasive powers, Where he meant frosts he scattered flowers. Chorus. By those sweet eyes' persuasive powers, Where he meant frosts he scattered flowers. Both We saw Thee in Thy balmy nest, Young dawn of our eternal day; Tityrus Poor world, said I, what wilt thou do Is this the best thou canst bestow A cold and not too cleanly manger? To fit a bed for this huge birth. Chorus. Contend the powers of heaven and earth To fit a bed for this huge birth. Thyrsis Proud world, said I, cease your contest, The babe, whose birth embraves this morn, Chorus. The babe, whose birth embraves this morn, Tityrus I saw the curled drops, soft and slow, Forbear, said I, be not too bold, Your fleece is white, but 'tis too cold. Thyrsis I saw th' obsequious seraphim Their rosy fleece of fire bestow, For well they now can spare their wings, Well done, said I; but are you sure Both No, no, your King's not yet to seek Full Chorus Welcome all wonders in one sight! Chorus Heaven in earth! and God in man! Great little one, whose all-embracing birth Welcome, tho' nor to gold, nor silk, To more than Cæsar's birthright is Two sister seas of virgin's milk, With many a rarely-tempered kiss, That breathes at once both maid and mother, Warms in the one, cools in the other. She sings Thy tears asleep, and dips Welcome-tho' not to those gay flies, But to poor shepherds, homespun things, Whose wealth's their flocks, whose wit's to be Well read in their simplicity. Yet, when young April's husband show'rs We'll bring the first-born of her flowers, To Thee, meek Majesty, soft King Each his pair of silver doves! At last, in fire of Thy fair eyes, Ourselves become our own best sacrifice! |