A collection of poems on various subjects including the theatre, a didactic essay; in the course of which are pointed out, the rocks and shoals to which deluded adventurers are inevitably exposed. Ornamented with cuts and illustrated with notes, original letters and curious incidental anecdotes [by Samuel Whyte] |
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 | A collection of poems on various subjects |  |
A PARAPHRASE, ON CRASHAW'S CELEBRATED EPIGRAM, ON OUR SAVIOUR'S TURNING WATER INTO WINE,
AT THE MARRIAGE IN CANA OF GALILEE. ST. JOHN, CHAP. ii.
WRITTEN AS A SCHOOL EXERCISE, BY A LAD NOT FIFTEEN.
Once to a marriage feast, among the rest,
The Lord of Life went, an invited guest:
Three cheerful suns had set; but now a doubt
Perplex'd the governor—the wine was out.
The holy mother, likewise present there,
With prudent purpose interpos'd her care,
And to her son's celestial aid applied,
Which never fails who in his name confide;
But tho' untimely the request was made,
He, what a lesson! filial reverence paid.
The menial train, obedience strictly taught,
From the next fountain, as directed, brought
A copious freight, and, as 'twas meet there should,
Arrang'd in view the festal vases stood,
Those, with the limpid stream, the ready band
Fill to the brim by the divine command;
The attentive crowd stood in his presence hush'd,
The conscious water saw her God and blush'd;—
Hence, of the simple element procur'd,
Into their goblets at his bidding pour'd,
Straight to the governor the servants bore;
But, who can heaven's mysterious ways explore?
'Tis wine—and all with admiration mov'd,
The fresh supply beyond the first approv'd.
Thus manifest his glory was made known,
And the great honour due to parents shown.
The Lord of Life went, an invited guest:
Three cheerful suns had set; but now a doubt
Perplex'd the governor—the wine was out.
The holy mother, likewise present there,
With prudent purpose interpos'd her care,
And to her son's celestial aid applied,
Which never fails who in his name confide;
But tho' untimely the request was made,
He, what a lesson! filial reverence paid.
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From the next fountain, as directed, brought
A copious freight, and, as 'twas meet there should,
Arrang'd in view the festal vases stood,
Those, with the limpid stream, the ready band
Fill to the brim by the divine command;
The attentive crowd stood in his presence hush'd,
The conscious water saw her God and blush'd;—
Hence, of the simple element procur'd,
Into their goblets at his bidding pour'd,
Straight to the governor the servants bore;
But, who can heaven's mysterious ways explore?
'Tis wine—and all with admiration mov'd,
The fresh supply beyond the first approv'd.
Thus manifest his glory was made known,
And the great honour due to parents shown.
MARRIAGE IN CANA.
EPIGRAMMA.
Unde rubor vestris et non sua purpura lymphis?Quæ rosa mirantes tam nova mutat aquas?
Numen, convivæ! præsens agnoscite numen,
Vidit et erubuit Nympha pudica Deum.
| A collection of poems on various subjects | |