IX.
1. Men.
Glory be to God on high.
Scarcely, earth's new cradle round,
Had ye rais'd your gladsome sound,
When Creation drooping hung,
And your alter'd descant rung:
Then, to pleading Mercy giv'n,
Drops of pardon fell from Heav'n,
The thorn of sorrow bore the rose,
Balm was in woman's throes,
And the dark gates of death the Lord of life disclose.
2. Angels.
Peace be upon earth below,
Nature smooth'd her mournful brow,
When she saw the gleaming bow,
Which encompass'd the dark place
With the covenant of grace:
Oft as down Heav'n's cloudy stair
Comes that harbinger so fair,
The earth with incense-breathing dew,
Her veil of sorrow through,
Looks tearfully to Heav'n, and grateful smiles anew.
3. Men and Angels.
Good will to man from God above.
As, o'er the flood-reviving earth
That witness stands in Heav'n secure,
Thus o'er our new and better birth
This sacramental seal is sure:
Until the sun shall make his bed,
And time be withered,
The pledge of saving mercy shall remain;
None to His breast shall turn, and thither turn in vain.
