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Upon the Nativity of our saviour and Sacrament then received.
See from his watry Tropick how the SunApproacheth by a double motion!
The same flight tending to the western seas
Wheeles Northward by insensible degrees;
So this blest day beares to our Intellect
(As its bright fire) a duplycate respect:
None but a two-fac'd Janus can be guest
And fit himselfe unto this double feast.
That must before joyntly the Manger see,
And view behind the execrable Tree.
Here the blest Virgins living milk, and there
The fatall streames of the Sons bloud appear;
Crowns at his tender feet in Bethlem ly;
Thorns bind his manly browes in Calvary;
Th'ashamed Sun from this his light withdrew;
A new born star the other joy'd to shew:
To furnish out this feast, lo, in the pot
Death here consults the salting Antidot:
But least the sad allay should interfer,
And corrupt this days smile into a tear,
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Bequeathing to the worthy Guest new birth;
As to the mystick head, beseemingly,
So to each member gives Nativity:
The difference onely this, the deitie
Born to our flesh, into his Spirit we.
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