University of Virginia Library


3

On the Nativitie.

1

Hail holy tide,
Wherein a Bride,
A Virgin, and a Mother,
Brought forth a Son,
The like was done,
Except her, by no other.

2

A Virgin pure,
She did endure
After her Son, or rather.
It maybe said,
Shew as a maid,
And this Son was her Father.

3

Here riddles vex,
And do perplex
The eye of humane reason;
Heaven did combine,
With earth to joyn,
To consecrate this season.

4

Hail blessed Maid,
For by thine aid,
Eternal life is Ours,

4

Thou didst lie in,
And without sin,
The son of God was yours.

5

Hail happy birth,
Wonder of Earth
And heaven; the Angels sing
Anthems to thee,
As glad to see
Their new-born heavenly King.

6

Though thou art poore,
Kings thee adore,
And precious presents bring,
They kneel to you,
And humbly bow,
As to some sacred thing.

7

Thou that art able
To turn a stable
Into a Temple, come,
Possess my heart,
Cleanse every part,
And take it for thy home.