 | Familiar letters and poems on several occasions |  |
Sent to Mrs ---, upon the Epiphany.
When the Messiah first appear'd on Earth,A glorious Star remark'd the wond'rous Birth;
With tenfold Light, the splendid Herald shone,
To shew the Star of Judah was come down:
Its Radiance so superior to the rest,
Struck with Amaze, the Learned of the East;
Three sapient Kings their ancient Homes forsake,
And to a Land unknown their Journey take;
Gold, Myrrh, and Frankincense, they then provide,
Their Faith, their Science, and the Star their guide.
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To that blest Spot where the Great Infant lay;
The Heav'n-born Child in simplest guise was dress'd,
And in a lowly Cottage took his Rest;
Yet all his Looks the Deity confess'd;
A God-like Beauty over-spread his Face,
And more than Angel-brightness fill'd the Place!
Low on their Knees the wond'ring Sages fell,
Offer'd their Gold and Gifts of fragrant Smell.
We Christians still commemorate the Day,
And oft to those we love a Gift convey;
The customary Rite my Heart approves,
And thus applies to thee, whom much it loves.
To Day this Paper present comes to shew,
The just Distinction to your Merit due;
A well-meant Verse with honest Zeal I give,
May you my Off'ring candidly receive.
| Familiar letters and poems on several occasions | |