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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 | The Life of Our Blessed Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ |  |
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Did over lofty Olivet arise;
Gently he rose, as him some sacred Awe
Had seiz'd, when first the Temple Roofs he saw;
Saw thro' the Shades, nor durst directly see,
Lest that shou'd dazle him, as mortal he:
Scarce cou'd his own reflected Image bear,
From the vast Golden Mirrour flaming there:
Earlier than he his watchful Maker rose,
As early to his Fathers House he goes
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The mighty Gates, heavy with loads of Gold:
Twice Ten robustous Servants there attend,
Who to the Work their Shoulders panting lend:
The Gentiles, and the Womens Court they pass
To the Third Gate, of rich Corinthian Brass;
Next Israel's Court they enter, prostrate there,
T'attone high Heav'n with pious Hymns and Pray'r,
In decent ranks the Vested Priests begin,
Loud answer'd by the full-mouth'd Quire within:
Musick's soft Notes, and loud Majestick sound;
From the gilt Roofs and vaulted Courts rebound,
And distant Zion-hill beats back the sacred Sound:
Nature and Art in the blest Service joyn,
Voices and tuneful Instruments combine;
The Consort first sweet Aijeleth begun,
And welcom'd to the World the cheerful Sun;
Next the Creator's Praises they recite
On Alamoth, chast Virgins best delight;
Grave Jonath, soft Mahalah mixt with these,
And melting Harps that never fail'd to please:
Shrill Cornets, clanging Trumpets, apt t'inspire,
With holy Raptures, or with Martial Fire;
The Anthem this, once sung to David's royal Lyre.
| The Life of Our Blessed Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ | |