University of Virginia Library

1206.

[In loudest songs thy joy declare]

Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; &c. —liv. 1, 2.

In loudest songs thy joy declare,
Thou barren church, that didst not bear,
Thine happy change with shoutings tell;

440

Beyond the ancient Israel bless'd,
Far more abundantly increased,
The widow doth the wife excel:
Enlarge thy dwelling-place, extend
Thy pale to earth's remotest end,
Within no narrow bounds confined,
With cords of everlasting love,
With stakes of truth that cannot move,
Spread out thy tent for all mankind.