The Life of Our Blessed Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ An Heroic Poem: Dedicated to Her Most Sacred Majesty. In Ten Books. Attempted by Samuel Wesley ... Each Book illustrated by necessary Notes, explaining all the more difficult Matters in the whole History: Also a Prefatory Discourse concerning Heroic Poetry. With Sixty Copper-Plates |
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| II. |
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| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
 | The Life of Our Blessed Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ |  |
33
All
silent stood, when Rama's Lord had done,
Till in the midst Bar-Jonas thus begun:
So, when our Prince shall Israel's Throne regain,
So may I by his side for ever reign,
As nought but chast and sacred Truths I tell;
Chast as that Virgin-womb wherein he once did dwell:
Admir'd by Friends, by Enemies confest,
Which these, which Fame, which all the World attest:
By Reason voucht, and many a mighty Sign,
By Humane Faith and Oracles divine;
To you not hid: for Israel's Masters can't
Of what all Israel knows, be ignorant:
Nor can we doubt, but clearly you discern
Those sacred Truths which from your Lips we learn;
That now the promis'd happy Days appear,
That the Messia's Kingdom must be near:
This Heav'n-lov'd Daniel's mystic Weeks contain,
Whose end begins th' anointed Princes Reign,
From whose wise Books his sacred Name we gain:
That Period past, our Rabbies all declare,
And come he is, or we must now despair.
This Israel's Groans confess, their freedom broke,
And shoulders worn beneath a foreign yoke;
By that fell Idumean Wolf opprest,
Who red with blood his savage Sire confest,
Who did revenge old Esau's shame and stain,
And his supplanting Lord supplant again
Dissembling Piety; our Temple rais'd,
But that himself, not God, might there be prais'd:
With human blood the blushing pavement dies,
And makes th' High-Priest himself a Sacrifice:
And big with crimes, O shame, O deep disgrace!
Destroy'd the Hasmonean Royal Race:
By him our total Bondage did begin;
He first inviting the fierce Romans in;
Their Idol-Eagle to our Temple brings,
Who pearcht on proud Antonia, claps his Wings:
Juda no more gives Laws, no more is Israel free;
Nay, scarce enjoys the Name of Liberty:
Enroll'd and tax'd, and humble Clients made,
Our Substance seiz'd for the Imperial Aid;
All that the Tyrant left, we had our share,
Which my fierce Country cou'd not tamely bear:
You know the rest, Our unsuccessful fight
And slaughter under the bold Gaulonite:
Not so our Princes humble Parents, they
Had learn't, like him, to suffer and obey:
Tho' both deduc'd from David's Royal Stem,
And the true Heirs of Israel's Diadem;
And either House their clear Succession brings
From a long Race of Prophets and of Kings:
So great a Change by Fate and Time is made,
From David's glitt'ring Throne to th' meanest Trade,
For such good Joseph us'd, with honest pain
His small, yet sacred Houshold to sustain,
'Till thence by th' Edict call'd—But first declare
Says John, what our great King's Forerunners were,
(If all our words for credit may prevail;)
The wond'rous message, and the wond'rous Hail!
Till in the midst Bar-Jonas thus begun:
So, when our Prince shall Israel's Throne regain,
So may I by his side for ever reign,
As nought but chast and sacred Truths I tell;
Chast as that Virgin-womb wherein he once did dwell:
Admir'd by Friends, by Enemies confest,
Which these, which Fame, which all the World attest:
By Reason voucht, and many a mighty Sign,
By Humane Faith and Oracles divine;
34
Of what all Israel knows, be ignorant:
Nor can we doubt, but clearly you discern
Those sacred Truths which from your Lips we learn;
That now the promis'd happy Days appear,
That the Messia's Kingdom must be near:
This Heav'n-lov'd Daniel's mystic Weeks contain,
Whose end begins th' anointed Princes Reign,
From whose wise Books his sacred Name we gain:
That Period past, our Rabbies all declare,
And come he is, or we must now despair.
This Israel's Groans confess, their freedom broke,
And shoulders worn beneath a foreign yoke;
By that fell Idumean Wolf opprest,
Who red with blood his savage Sire confest,
Who did revenge old Esau's shame and stain,
And his supplanting Lord supplant again
Dissembling Piety; our Temple rais'd,
But that himself, not God, might there be prais'd:
With human blood the blushing pavement dies,
And makes th' High-Priest himself a Sacrifice:
And big with crimes, O shame, O deep disgrace!
Destroy'd the Hasmonean Royal Race:
By him our total Bondage did begin;
He first inviting the fierce Romans in;
Their Idol-Eagle to our Temple brings,
Who pearcht on proud Antonia, claps his Wings:
Juda no more gives Laws, no more is Israel free;
Nay, scarce enjoys the Name of Liberty:
Enroll'd and tax'd, and humble Clients made,
Our Substance seiz'd for the Imperial Aid;
All that the Tyrant left, we had our share,
Which my fierce Country cou'd not tamely bear:
You know the rest, Our unsuccessful fight
And slaughter under the bold Gaulonite:
Not so our Princes humble Parents, they
Had learn't, like him, to suffer and obey:
Tho' both deduc'd from David's Royal Stem,
And the true Heirs of Israel's Diadem;
35
From a long Race of Prophets and of Kings:
So great a Change by Fate and Time is made,
From David's glitt'ring Throne to th' meanest Trade,
For such good Joseph us'd, with honest pain
His small, yet sacred Houshold to sustain,
'Till thence by th' Edict call'd—But first declare
Says John, what our great King's Forerunners were,
(If all our words for credit may prevail;)
The wond'rous message, and the wond'rous Hail!
Well interrupted, fervent Cephas cries,
None better can relate those Prodigies;
Which oft I've heard the Good old man repeat,
Joseph himself, as on an Oozy Seat
Against the sounding Beach repos'd we lay,
To taste the gentle Breeze, after a scorching day:
What wonders did the rev'rend Sire declare?
Once I remember Zebedee was there:
We prest him both to tell us what he knew,
He yields, and vows by the great Name 'twas true:
Then thus began;—When Youths fresh Bloom was past,
And brought of seven Sabbatic Years the last
Advis'd by Friends, I sought a virtuous Wife,
To share and soften the Fatigues of Life:
From all that Nazareth accounted fair;
(And many a blooming Beauty triumph'd there)
Old Heli's Daughter did the Garland bear:
From the same Spring our kindred blood we drew,
And what's our Rise can be unknown to few:
From David, he by Nathan brings his Line,
And I, by Solomon, deducing mine
As did the Root, so now the Branches join:
Gladly he gives, what I as gladly take,
Agreed, we soon the solemn Contract make:
All envy'd me, all thought divinely blest,
When of the charming heavenly Maid possest:
For she was fair beyond all Mortal Race,
And something more than human in her Face:
Endu'd with all her Sexes Charms and more,
Which yet without their Vanity she wore.
Never a Mind so humble and so great,
Since Eden's loss, so fair a Body met:
Nay, had ev'n Eve's been such, our Sire had been content;
And scarce cou'd Eden's Loss it self lament:
“Tender, not fond, prudent, yet not precise;
“Tho' wise, not thought her self for me too wise:
“Content with our low state, nor vainly stood
“Upon her Royal Race, or antient Blood:
“Secrets in hers, as safe as in my Breast;
All form'd beyond my wish, to make me blest.
But what did most of joy and triumph bring,
Th' illustrious Gem in her bright Virtues ring
Was her Angelic Chastity; not Eve
E're she did Adam, her the Fiend deceive,
When first she sprung from our great Parents side,
Not she her self a purer Virgin-Bride.
Guess but how strangely then I was amaz'd,
Nor could believe my eyes—agen I gaz'd,
When in my Arms the trembling Fair I claspt;
But started back agen—
As one who in green Herbs a Serpent graspt:
When on the first triumphant Nuptial Night
I found her pregnant, now 'twas plain to sight.
When she was false—
Whom all did above all her Sex prefer,
What did I then, blaspheme of them and Her?
What Vengeance for my injur'd Love debate?
And yet that Love deny'd to let me hate.
Resolv'd, tho' yet I knew not how, to part;
“And, if I could, free my unlucky heart:
Resolv'd to tear the perjur'd Charmer thence,
Divorc'd from her, as she from Innocence.
Thus, stung with Indignation and Despair,
Not ev'n her Tears could longer keep me there:
Far from the Nuptial Room, I rush't away;
“And on the ground a widdow'd Bridegroom lay:
Where gentle sleep, tho' call'd, long from me fled;
My restless thoughts uneasie as my Bed:
And twice the cheerful Harbinger of Day
Had clapt his Wings, and warn'd the Shades away,
Warn'd me, as usual, but in vain to rise,
E're watchful Grief once let me close my Eyes;
'Till sudden slumbers me at last surprize.
I dreamt,—but sure 'twas more, as by th' Event
Appear'd, I saw a glorious Watcher sent,
Glorious as e're to Man glad news did bring;
He touch't and rais'd me with his Purple Wing,
Then thus began,—“Great Branch of Jesse's Stem!
“Heir of thy Father David's Diadem!
“What restless thought, or what unhandsom Fear,
“From thy unspotted Bride, detains thee here?
“On whose fair Soul no thought of Ill's imprest;
“Pure as the Flame that warms an Angels Breast.
“As for the root of all thy jealous cares,
“That wond'rous sacred Burden which she bears;
“The divine Spirit alone, did that infuse,
“And I my self was sent to tell the news
“To her, as now to thee; and e're the Moon
“Five Courses more thro' her short Orb has gone,
“She shall be blest with a miraculous Son;
“Jesus his sacred Name long since design'd,
“The mighty Saviour he of lost Mankind.
He said: I trembling wake: no more h' appears.
But his last words, methought, still sounded in my Ears:
Rouz'd from my humble Couch, I softly come
With sacred Horror to the Nuptial Room;
Fix'd more than half a Statue at the Door
I saw and lov'd far fiercer than before,
And gaz'd and sigh'd, but dar'd attempt no more.
Her Beauty fed, but reverence checkt my Fire;
And still I lov'd, but durst not still desire.
Heav'ns! how she looks? how lovely still appears?
For still, methinks, I see—how charming, ev'n her Tears!
(Thus the sweet Rose new paints its heav'nly hue,
When bending with big drops of morning dew).
Nor cou'd I guess, till I approacht more nigh,
Whether they sprung from Grief or Extasie:
She blusht and in my Bosom hid her face:)
(The modest Blush, confest not guilt, but Grace).
Conjuring me, by all I once thought dear,
E're I condemn'd her, her defence to hear:
Insist no more, I cry'd, on thy defence!
Heav'n has already clear'd thy Innocence:
An Angel-Form, not you your self more fair,
Did late th' indubitable Truth declare:
Bright, injur'd, lovely Maid! no longer grieve!
Dry those vain Tears, and, if you can, forgive!
None better can relate those Prodigies;
Which oft I've heard the Good old man repeat,
Joseph himself, as on an Oozy Seat
Against the sounding Beach repos'd we lay,
To taste the gentle Breeze, after a scorching day:
What wonders did the rev'rend Sire declare?
Once I remember Zebedee was there:
We prest him both to tell us what he knew,
He yields, and vows by the great Name 'twas true:
Then thus began;—When Youths fresh Bloom was past,
And brought of seven Sabbatic Years the last
Advis'd by Friends, I sought a virtuous Wife,
To share and soften the Fatigues of Life:
From all that Nazareth accounted fair;
(And many a blooming Beauty triumph'd there)
Old Heli's Daughter did the Garland bear:
From the same Spring our kindred blood we drew,
And what's our Rise can be unknown to few:
From David, he by Nathan brings his Line,
And I, by Solomon, deducing mine
As did the Root, so now the Branches join:
Gladly he gives, what I as gladly take,
Agreed, we soon the solemn Contract make:
All envy'd me, all thought divinely blest,
When of the charming heavenly Maid possest:
For she was fair beyond all Mortal Race,
And something more than human in her Face:
Endu'd with all her Sexes Charms and more,
Which yet without their Vanity she wore.
36
Since Eden's loss, so fair a Body met:
Nay, had ev'n Eve's been such, our Sire had been content;
And scarce cou'd Eden's Loss it self lament:
“Tender, not fond, prudent, yet not precise;
“Tho' wise, not thought her self for me too wise:
“Content with our low state, nor vainly stood
“Upon her Royal Race, or antient Blood:
“Secrets in hers, as safe as in my Breast;
All form'd beyond my wish, to make me blest.
But what did most of joy and triumph bring,
Th' illustrious Gem in her bright Virtues ring
Was her Angelic Chastity; not Eve
E're she did Adam, her the Fiend deceive,
When first she sprung from our great Parents side,
Not she her self a purer Virgin-Bride.
Guess but how strangely then I was amaz'd,
Nor could believe my eyes—agen I gaz'd,
When in my Arms the trembling Fair I claspt;
But started back agen—
As one who in green Herbs a Serpent graspt:
When on the first triumphant Nuptial Night
I found her pregnant, now 'twas plain to sight.
When she was false—
Whom all did above all her Sex prefer,
What did I then, blaspheme of them and Her?
What Vengeance for my injur'd Love debate?
And yet that Love deny'd to let me hate.
Resolv'd, tho' yet I knew not how, to part;
“And, if I could, free my unlucky heart:
Resolv'd to tear the perjur'd Charmer thence,
Divorc'd from her, as she from Innocence.
Thus, stung with Indignation and Despair,
Not ev'n her Tears could longer keep me there:
Far from the Nuptial Room, I rush't away;
“And on the ground a widdow'd Bridegroom lay:
Where gentle sleep, tho' call'd, long from me fled;
My restless thoughts uneasie as my Bed:
And twice the cheerful Harbinger of Day
Had clapt his Wings, and warn'd the Shades away,
37
E're watchful Grief once let me close my Eyes;
'Till sudden slumbers me at last surprize.
I dreamt,—but sure 'twas more, as by th' Event
Appear'd, I saw a glorious Watcher sent,
Glorious as e're to Man glad news did bring;
He touch't and rais'd me with his Purple Wing,
Then thus began,—“Great Branch of Jesse's Stem!
“Heir of thy Father David's Diadem!
“What restless thought, or what unhandsom Fear,
“From thy unspotted Bride, detains thee here?
“On whose fair Soul no thought of Ill's imprest;
“Pure as the Flame that warms an Angels Breast.
“As for the root of all thy jealous cares,
“That wond'rous sacred Burden which she bears;
“The divine Spirit alone, did that infuse,
“And I my self was sent to tell the news
“To her, as now to thee; and e're the Moon
“Five Courses more thro' her short Orb has gone,
“She shall be blest with a miraculous Son;
“Jesus his sacred Name long since design'd,
“The mighty Saviour he of lost Mankind.
He said: I trembling wake: no more h' appears.
But his last words, methought, still sounded in my Ears:
Rouz'd from my humble Couch, I softly come
With sacred Horror to the Nuptial Room;
Fix'd more than half a Statue at the Door
I saw and lov'd far fiercer than before,
And gaz'd and sigh'd, but dar'd attempt no more.
Her Beauty fed, but reverence checkt my Fire;
And still I lov'd, but durst not still desire.
Heav'ns! how she looks? how lovely still appears?
For still, methinks, I see—how charming, ev'n her Tears!
(Thus the sweet Rose new paints its heav'nly hue,
When bending with big drops of morning dew).
Nor cou'd I guess, till I approacht more nigh,
Whether they sprung from Grief or Extasie:
She blusht and in my Bosom hid her face:)
(The modest Blush, confest not guilt, but Grace).
38
E're I condemn'd her, her defence to hear:
Insist no more, I cry'd, on thy defence!
Heav'n has already clear'd thy Innocence:
An Angel-Form, not you your self more fair,
Did late th' indubitable Truth declare:
Bright, injur'd, lovely Maid! no longer grieve!
Dry those vain Tears, and, if you can, forgive!
Then Heav'n has shewn, she said, what I conceal'd;
The mighty Secret, is at last reveal'd:
A Secret, which who e're attempts to tell,
Wou'd need t'oblige belief another Miracle.
The mighty Secret, is at last reveal'd:
A Secret, which who e're attempts to tell,
Wou'd need t'oblige belief another Miracle.
By our chast Loves I cry'd, much injur'd Fair!
And by that sacred Burthen which you bear,
Conceal not ought, nor my suspicions fear,
Since nothing now, but I'm prepar'd to hear.
She yields, and thus begins—
And by that sacred Burthen which you bear,
Conceal not ought, nor my suspicions fear,
Since nothing now, but I'm prepar'd to hear.
She yields, and thus begins—
Three Moons are gone,
And now the fourth swift Orb is rolling on,
Since in my Father Heli's house I sate
Revolving deep those dark Decrees of Fate
Our sacred Books contain, that wond'rous year,
Which all our learned Rabbies think so near;
Above the rest then claim'd my thoughts and care,
Our promis'd Prince, and Heav'ns Almighty Heir;
Who Faith and Truth and Justice shall maintain,
And bless all Nature with his peaceful Reign:
While from the Rocks live streams of Honey flow,
And voluntary Palms and Roses grow:
Thrice happy oft I call'd and counted her,
Who at her Breast the Infant King should bear;
As oft I thought what humble Gifts I'd bring,
What Presents to adore the Infant King:
How blest, if in my Arms I might but hold,
Or in his Cradle, innocently bold
Seize the young Conqu'ror, and by sweet surprise
Might kiss his lovely Cheeks and heavenly Eyes!
Thus musing, sudden Glories me surround:
From the cleft Skies a youth with Sun-beams crown'd
More lovely far, than all the Race of Man,
Descending swift, bow'd low, and thus began:
And now the fourth swift Orb is rolling on,
Since in my Father Heli's house I sate
Revolving deep those dark Decrees of Fate
Our sacred Books contain, that wond'rous year,
Which all our learned Rabbies think so near;
Above the rest then claim'd my thoughts and care,
Our promis'd Prince, and Heav'ns Almighty Heir;
Who Faith and Truth and Justice shall maintain,
And bless all Nature with his peaceful Reign:
While from the Rocks live streams of Honey flow,
And voluntary Palms and Roses grow:
Thrice happy oft I call'd and counted her,
Who at her Breast the Infant King should bear;
As oft I thought what humble Gifts I'd bring,
What Presents to adore the Infant King:
How blest, if in my Arms I might but hold,
Or in his Cradle, innocently bold
Seize the young Conqu'ror, and by sweet surprise
Might kiss his lovely Cheeks and heavenly Eyes!
Thus musing, sudden Glories me surround:
From the cleft Skies a youth with Sun-beams crown'd
39
Descending swift, bow'd low, and thus began:
“All hail! belov'd of Heav'n! and full of Grace!
“More blest, more lov'd than all thy charming Race!
“Who, thou, thy self must that great Mother prove,
“Which was so late thy Envy and thy Love.
“Nor startle at the Message I declare!
“Thy Virgin-womb an Infant God must bear:
“That promis'd Prince who shall the World regain,
“And over all his Father's Empires reign:
“The Divine Spirit, Author of Joy and Love
“Breathing Conception on thee from above:
“Jesus his sacred Name long since design'd:
“The Mighty Saviour he of lost Mankind;
“Th' Eternal God in mortal mould confin'd:
“And if thy Infant-Faith wants Evidence,
“Indulgent Heav'n has sent thee proof from Sense:
“Aged Elizabeth, who did despair
“Like Sarah, ever to embrace an Heir,
“Six Moons already past, is pregnant grown,
“And shall be blest with a miraculous Son!
“Believe me, Sacred Maid! My words are true,
“For he who sent me here, can all things do.
“More blest, more lov'd than all thy charming Race!
“Who, thou, thy self must that great Mother prove,
“Which was so late thy Envy and thy Love.
“Nor startle at the Message I declare!
“Thy Virgin-womb an Infant God must bear:
“That promis'd Prince who shall the World regain,
“And over all his Father's Empires reign:
“The Divine Spirit, Author of Joy and Love
“Breathing Conception on thee from above:
“Jesus his sacred Name long since design'd:
“The Mighty Saviour he of lost Mankind;
“Th' Eternal God in mortal mould confin'd:
“And if thy Infant-Faith wants Evidence,
“Indulgent Heav'n has sent thee proof from Sense:
“Aged Elizabeth, who did despair
“Like Sarah, ever to embrace an Heir,
“Six Moons already past, is pregnant grown,
“And shall be blest with a miraculous Son!
“Believe me, Sacred Maid! My words are true,
“For he who sent me here, can all things do.
He said, and, whilst an Answer I prepare
He wings his way to Heav'n thro' trackless Air:
I after gaz'd, as o're the Clouds he trod,
And cry'd—O loveliest Form ith' Host of God!
My Faith I not refuse, nor yet suspend
To what my Reason cannot comprehend:
Be thy great Masters words without delay
Fulfill'd—'Tis his to order, mine t'obey.
He wings his way to Heav'n thro' trackless Air:
I after gaz'd, as o're the Clouds he trod,
And cry'd—O loveliest Form ith' Host of God!
My Faith I not refuse, nor yet suspend
To what my Reason cannot comprehend:
Be thy great Masters words without delay
Fulfill'd—'Tis his to order, mine t'obey.
Scarce had I said, and he no more appear'd,
When strait a still small whisp'ring sound I heard,
Like that a solitary Ear perceives,
When gentle Zephyr stroaks the velvet leaves:
With this, celestial fragrancies perfume,
And scatter Paradise around the room:
Enwrapt i'th' od'rous Cloud, a while I lay,
Whilst a soft air thro' all my veins did stray,
Thro' my warm Heart in new strange pulses move,
And melt my ravish'd Soul with heavenly Love:
Hence this strange Burthen now so plain to view,
Which Heav'n its Author has reveal'd to you;
And from that moment, I a Mother grew.
When strait a still small whisp'ring sound I heard,
Like that a solitary Ear perceives,
When gentle Zephyr stroaks the velvet leaves:
With this, celestial fragrancies perfume,
And scatter Paradise around the room:
Enwrapt i'th' od'rous Cloud, a while I lay,
Whilst a soft air thro' all my veins did stray,
40
And melt my ravish'd Soul with heavenly Love:
Hence this strange Burthen now so plain to view,
Which Heav'n its Author has reveal'd to you;
And from that moment, I a Mother grew.
She said, new Aves I almost prepare,
Nay, hardly Adoration cou'd forbear:
Thence to my wishes and my arms deny'd,
A Virgin-Mother and a Virgin-Bride,
She grac'd my humble Roof, and blest my Life,
Blest me by a far greater Name than Wife:
“Yet still I bore an undisputed sway,
“Nor was't her task, but pleasure to obey:
“Scarce thought, much less cou'd act, what I deny'd;
“In our low house there was no room for Pride:
“Nor need I e're direct what still was right,
“Still study'd my Convenience and Delight.
“Nor did I for her Care ungrateful prove,
“But only us'd my Pow'r, to shew my Love:
“What e're she askt I gave, without reproach or grudg,
“For still she Reason askt—and I was Judg:
“All my Commands Requests at her fair hands,
“And her Requests to me, were all Commands:
“To others Thresholds rarely she'd incline!
“Her House her pleasure was, and she was mine;
“Rarely abroad, or never, but with me,
“Or when by Pity call'd, or Charity;
These did to old Elizabeth invite,
Friendship's and Kindred's Bonds with these unite:
O'repowr'd at length she yields, and my consent
And company obtain'd, we onward went:
The fam'd Bethulia soon behind us leave,
And Kishon's Fords our weary Feet receive:
Thence fatal Gilboa's high Cliffs we crost,
Where David's much lamented Friend was lost:
Thro' Ephr'im's Lot our course directing down
Near the new Walls of Shemir's antient Town,
By Shechem where good Jacob once did dwell,
Near Dothan's Plain and Sychar's antient Well,
And Gerizim's proud Altar, rais'd in spite,
Accurs'd by every faithful Israelite:
By Jericho and Bethel next we past,
The first went thro', and near us leave the last;
And the third Noon, where Siloam gently falls
Discover antient Salem's sacred Walls;
Which leaving on the left, our course we bend
To Geba-Town our little Journeys end:
Near which, upon an easie Hill we see
The pleasant Seat of aged Zacharie:
'Twas neat, not proud; for Use, not Pomp or Fame;
Such as an humble Country Priest became:
He saw rich Fields below, which should be his,
Detain'd by Sacrilege and Avarice:
For Geba did of right to th' Priests belong,
Tho' Power and Time must justifie the wrong:
He saw, more griev'd than angry at their Crime,
And only pity'd those who injur'd him:
With his own small paternal Fields content;
Enough for Want, not Luxury they lent;
Blest by their Masters Pray'rs and watchful Eye,
And honest Servants careful Industry:
A Crystal Stream which from the Mountains stole,
Whose waters o'r the healthy Gravel roll
Before the Gate did gently murmuring run,
Gilt by the kindly Beams o'th' rising Sun:
The West a fair and spacious Prospect yields,
Where the pleas'd Eye is lost in Woods and Fields:
From the bleak North the Mountains Summit shields;
An Olive-Grove the Southern Heats defends,
Which shade, and Fruit, pleasure and profit lends;
Beyond whose Borders, where the Hill inclines
'Tis richly cover'd o'r with clust'ring Vines.
Thither arriv'd, old Zach'ry both embrac'd,
And at his hospitable Table plac'd,
All signs of welcome wanting words were shown,
Nor had he those, this Reason only known,
H'had some strange Vision in the Temple seen,
And ever since as strangely silent been:
Not so Eliza, who to meet us ran,
And to the Virgin thus, inspir'd began:
Nay, hardly Adoration cou'd forbear:
Thence to my wishes and my arms deny'd,
A Virgin-Mother and a Virgin-Bride,
She grac'd my humble Roof, and blest my Life,
Blest me by a far greater Name than Wife:
“Yet still I bore an undisputed sway,
“Nor was't her task, but pleasure to obey:
“Scarce thought, much less cou'd act, what I deny'd;
“In our low house there was no room for Pride:
“Nor need I e're direct what still was right,
“Still study'd my Convenience and Delight.
“Nor did I for her Care ungrateful prove,
“But only us'd my Pow'r, to shew my Love:
“What e're she askt I gave, without reproach or grudg,
“For still she Reason askt—and I was Judg:
“All my Commands Requests at her fair hands,
“And her Requests to me, were all Commands:
“To others Thresholds rarely she'd incline!
“Her House her pleasure was, and she was mine;
“Rarely abroad, or never, but with me,
“Or when by Pity call'd, or Charity;
These did to old Elizabeth invite,
Friendship's and Kindred's Bonds with these unite:
O'repowr'd at length she yields, and my consent
And company obtain'd, we onward went:
The fam'd Bethulia soon behind us leave,
And Kishon's Fords our weary Feet receive:
Thence fatal Gilboa's high Cliffs we crost,
Where David's much lamented Friend was lost:
Thro' Ephr'im's Lot our course directing down
Near the new Walls of Shemir's antient Town,
By Shechem where good Jacob once did dwell,
Near Dothan's Plain and Sychar's antient Well,
41
Accurs'd by every faithful Israelite:
By Jericho and Bethel next we past,
The first went thro', and near us leave the last;
And the third Noon, where Siloam gently falls
Discover antient Salem's sacred Walls;
Which leaving on the left, our course we bend
To Geba-Town our little Journeys end:
Near which, upon an easie Hill we see
The pleasant Seat of aged Zacharie:
'Twas neat, not proud; for Use, not Pomp or Fame;
Such as an humble Country Priest became:
He saw rich Fields below, which should be his,
Detain'd by Sacrilege and Avarice:
For Geba did of right to th' Priests belong,
Tho' Power and Time must justifie the wrong:
He saw, more griev'd than angry at their Crime,
And only pity'd those who injur'd him:
With his own small paternal Fields content;
Enough for Want, not Luxury they lent;
Blest by their Masters Pray'rs and watchful Eye,
And honest Servants careful Industry:
A Crystal Stream which from the Mountains stole,
Whose waters o'r the healthy Gravel roll
Before the Gate did gently murmuring run,
Gilt by the kindly Beams o'th' rising Sun:
The West a fair and spacious Prospect yields,
Where the pleas'd Eye is lost in Woods and Fields:
From the bleak North the Mountains Summit shields;
An Olive-Grove the Southern Heats defends,
Which shade, and Fruit, pleasure and profit lends;
Beyond whose Borders, where the Hill inclines
'Tis richly cover'd o'r with clust'ring Vines.
Thither arriv'd, old Zach'ry both embrac'd,
And at his hospitable Table plac'd,
All signs of welcome wanting words were shown,
Nor had he those, this Reason only known,
H'had some strange Vision in the Temple seen,
And ever since as strangely silent been:
Not so Eliza, who to meet us ran,
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“Blest above Women shall thy Title be
“And yet more blest, thy wond'rous Child than thee!
“Whence is't the Mother of my God should grace
“With her high presence such an humble place?
“Nor sooner did my pleas'd and ravish'd Ear,
“Blest Virgin! the melodious accents hear
“Of thy lov'd Voice, but my prophetic Boy
“Perceiv'd and bounded in my Womb for Joy.
“And blest is she, whose noble Faith like thine,
“Expells all doubt of Truth and Power divine:
“Speedy performance shall thy wishes crown,
“And future Ages spred thy high renown.
The Virgin heard, Heav'n not her self she rais'd,
Kind Heav'n in everlasting Numbers prais'd.
“And yet more blest, thy wond'rous Child than thee!
“Whence is't the Mother of my God should grace
“With her high presence such an humble place?
“Nor sooner did my pleas'd and ravish'd Ear,
“Blest Virgin! the melodious accents hear
“Of thy lov'd Voice, but my prophetic Boy
“Perceiv'd and bounded in my Womb for Joy.
“And blest is she, whose noble Faith like thine,
“Expells all doubt of Truth and Power divine:
“Speedy performance shall thy wishes crown,
“And future Ages spred thy high renown.
The Virgin heard, Heav'n not her self she rais'd,
Kind Heav'n in everlasting Numbers prais'd.
Amidst these holy Hymns, which all around
From Saints and Angels in thy praise resound,
Thrice blessed Maid! may there be room for me
To throw my Mite into the Treasury?
As Heav'n did thine, my humble Gifts approve!
And since I have no Lambs, accept my Dove!
From Saints and Angels in thy praise resound,
Thrice blessed Maid! may there be room for me
To throw my Mite into the Treasury?
As Heav'n did thine, my humble Gifts approve!
And since I have no Lambs, accept my Dove!
“Hail Mary! may thy Glories still prevail!
“Great Mother of my God and Saviour, Hail!
“More blest than all our lost Forefathers Line!
“Blest above all our Sex, as well as thine!
“Above all mortals, only not divine!
“Only below thy Son I thee confess,
“And those who make thee more, but make thee less.
“Midst your triumphant Lauds, if ought you know,
“Ought that concerns our weary World below,
“Permit these praises far beneath your due,
“This humble Verse to be inscrib'd to you!
“Still wear they your lov'd name as their defence,
“And borrow Immortality from thence!
“Great Mother of my God and Saviour, Hail!
“More blest than all our lost Forefathers Line!
“Blest above all our Sex, as well as thine!
“Above all mortals, only not divine!
“Only below thy Son I thee confess,
“And those who make thee more, but make thee less.
“Midst your triumphant Lauds, if ought you know,
“Ought that concerns our weary World below,
“Permit these praises far beneath your due,
“This humble Verse to be inscrib'd to you!
“Still wear they your lov'd name as their defence,
“And borrow Immortality from thence!
“And after thee, O full of Charms and Grace!
“Let our great Mary fill the second place!
“For other Queens long maist thou look in vain,
“Others like her, to fill thy glorious Train.
“Humble like thee, like thee of Royal Line,
“Her Soul to Heav'n submiss, and bow'd like thine!
“Heav'n, which Immaculate her Form design'd,
“As a fit mansion for so fair a mind.
“(Sure none can e'r be Traitors, but the blind)
“Which gave her Eyes that Love and Awe inspire
“And cheer the World like the Sun's vital Fire:
“O may they—but that sawcy wish must dye;
“He melts his Plumes, who dares attempt so high:
“Yet I'll wish on, Retreats are now too late,
“And, Icarus, I court thy noble Fate—
“May they on these my humble Labours shine
“With their kind Influence gild each happy Line,
“Indue with purer Forms the coarser Ore,
“And stamp it Bullion, tho' 'twas dross before.
“Let our great Mary fill the second place!
“For other Queens long maist thou look in vain,
“Others like her, to fill thy glorious Train.
“Humble like thee, like thee of Royal Line,
“Her Soul to Heav'n submiss, and bow'd like thine!
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“As a fit mansion for so fair a mind.
“(Sure none can e'r be Traitors, but the blind)
“Which gave her Eyes that Love and Awe inspire
“And cheer the World like the Sun's vital Fire:
“O may they—but that sawcy wish must dye;
“He melts his Plumes, who dares attempt so high:
“Yet I'll wish on, Retreats are now too late,
“And, Icarus, I court thy noble Fate—
“May they on these my humble Labours shine
“With their kind Influence gild each happy Line,
“Indue with purer Forms the coarser Ore,
“And stamp it Bullion, tho' 'twas dross before.
Sweet Muse return! to nobler strains aspire!
And touch, with utmost Art, the heav'nly Lyre!
With Seraphs sing his glorious humble Birth,
Who rais'd the beauteous Pile of Heav'n and Earth!
What reverend Joseph on his Oozy Seat,
What zealous Cephas did from him repeat;
Attent and pleas'd his Auditors appear;
The more they heard, the more they wisht to hear.
He fervent, thus goes on—
And touch, with utmost Art, the heav'nly Lyre!
With Seraphs sing his glorious humble Birth,
Who rais'd the beauteous Pile of Heav'n and Earth!
What reverend Joseph on his Oozy Seat,
What zealous Cephas did from him repeat;
Attent and pleas'd his Auditors appear;
The more they heard, the more they wisht to hear.
He fervent, thus goes on—
These, more than Friendly Salutations paid,
With old Elizabeth a while we staid,
Till thrice we saw the Silver Cynthia's wane,
And thrice she fill'd her various Orb again;
When the good Matrons welcom pains begun,
Who in her Arms soon held a wond'rous Son:
Her kindred much admiring round her sate,
And her so rare a Bliss congratulate:
And when they saw the eighth blest Sun arise,
Prepare the wond'rous Child to circumcise:
His Father's Name they gave, with kind presage,
As Hope and Staff of his declining Age:
And add their Prayers, that he as well might be
Heir of his Virtues, as his Family.
Well pleas'd Eliza bow'd, and wish'd the same,
With thanks, to all agreeing, but the Name,
All wond'ring, thus did she inspir'd proceed,
It must be John, for so high Heav'n decreed:
His Father askt, with speaking Eyes and Hands
Of those around Tablet and Style demands;
And when i'th' ductile Wax he'd stampt his mind,
The Name his Mother gave, surpriz'd we find:
Yet more, his Lips unloos'd when Hymns he sung,
And all the House with Hallelujahs rung:
Trembling we ask, on his reply intent,
What his strange Speech, and stranger Silence meant!
He thus—
With old Elizabeth a while we staid,
Till thrice we saw the Silver Cynthia's wane,
And thrice she fill'd her various Orb again;
When the good Matrons welcom pains begun,
Who in her Arms soon held a wond'rous Son:
Her kindred much admiring round her sate,
And her so rare a Bliss congratulate:
And when they saw the eighth blest Sun arise,
Prepare the wond'rous Child to circumcise:
His Father's Name they gave, with kind presage,
As Hope and Staff of his declining Age:
And add their Prayers, that he as well might be
Heir of his Virtues, as his Family.
Well pleas'd Eliza bow'd, and wish'd the same,
With thanks, to all agreeing, but the Name,
All wond'ring, thus did she inspir'd proceed,
It must be John, for so high Heav'n decreed:
44
Of those around Tablet and Style demands;
And when i'th' ductile Wax he'd stampt his mind,
The Name his Mother gave, surpriz'd we find:
Yet more, his Lips unloos'd when Hymns he sung,
And all the House with Hallelujahs rung:
Trembling we ask, on his reply intent,
What his strange Speech, and stranger Silence meant!
He thus—
As I with Incense did attend,
I saw great Gabriel in the Flame descend:
Of all who dearly love and guard mankind,
There's not a mightier or a fairer mind:
One hand he on the trembling Altar laid,
The other rais'd me from the ground afraid;
Th' All-wise, says he, has hear'd thy pious pray'r,
And thy Eliza shall embrace an Heir:
John be his destin'd Name, and Joy and Mirth
Shall fill thy House at his miraculous Birth:
Still dear in the Most High's impartial sight,
Devoted an abstemious Nazarite.
Divine Illapses daily he'll receive,
As much as he can take, or Heav'n can give:
T'illuminate his pure and piercing mind,
For that great work to which by Heav'n design'd.
His word like Thunder shall the World affright,
Exposing guilty Souls to conscious Light:
While crowds of penitents their Crimes shall mourn,
To God at once, and to themselves return.
The Prophet who prepares the Saviour's way,
The Morning-Star to the bright Prince of day.
I saw great Gabriel in the Flame descend:
Of all who dearly love and guard mankind,
There's not a mightier or a fairer mind:
One hand he on the trembling Altar laid,
The other rais'd me from the ground afraid;
Th' All-wise, says he, has hear'd thy pious pray'r,
And thy Eliza shall embrace an Heir:
John be his destin'd Name, and Joy and Mirth
Shall fill thy House at his miraculous Birth:
Still dear in the Most High's impartial sight,
Devoted an abstemious Nazarite.
Divine Illapses daily he'll receive,
As much as he can take, or Heav'n can give:
T'illuminate his pure and piercing mind,
For that great work to which by Heav'n design'd.
His word like Thunder shall the World affright,
Exposing guilty Souls to conscious Light:
While crowds of penitents their Crimes shall mourn,
To God at once, and to themselves return.
The Prophet who prepares the Saviour's way,
The Morning-Star to the bright Prince of day.
To this strange news I heard the Angel tell
When wonder made me yet an Infidel:
On his lov'd Face a Frown he quickly wore,
Which never sure was so disguis'd before;
Then thus, “Since Heav'n it self must speak in vain,
Nor Credence to its Oracles obtain;
At once experience Truth and Power divine
And be thy self unto thy self a Sign!
Till thy despair'd thy promis'd blessing come,
I seal thy Lips, and bid thee—thus be dumb!
When wonder made me yet an Infidel:
On his lov'd Face a Frown he quickly wore,
Which never sure was so disguis'd before;
Then thus, “Since Heav'n it self must speak in vain,
Nor Credence to its Oracles obtain;
At once experience Truth and Power divine
And be thy self unto thy self a Sign!
Till thy despair'd thy promis'd blessing come,
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Trembling I kneel'd, and wou'd have mercy cry'd,
But 'twas too late—my fault'ring Tongue deny'd
T'express my lab'ring thoughts abrupt intent:
The Angel nods, as knowing what I meant,
And back in Curls of Incense smiling went.
With mental Pray'r I strait addrest th' All-high,
Nor cou'd those adamantine bonds unty;
Which voluntary now fall off again:
And since kind Heav'n at once has broke my Chain,
And giv'n such Joys, I'll that attempt to raise,
And thee, O never ending Goodness! praise.
Awake my Lyre, I'll strain each tuneful String!
Awake my Voice which he has taught to sing.
But 'twas too late—my fault'ring Tongue deny'd
T'express my lab'ring thoughts abrupt intent:
The Angel nods, as knowing what I meant,
And back in Curls of Incense smiling went.
With mental Pray'r I strait addrest th' All-high,
Nor cou'd those adamantine bonds unty;
Which voluntary now fall off again:
And since kind Heav'n at once has broke my Chain,
And giv'n such Joys, I'll that attempt to raise,
And thee, O never ending Goodness! praise.
Awake my Lyre, I'll strain each tuneful String!
Awake my Voice which he has taught to sing.
| The Life of Our Blessed Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ | |