University of Virginia Library

As Heralds sound the titles of the great,
And blaze their actions to exalt their state,
Ev'n so the Prophets tho' in higher sphere,
The great Messiah's glorious deeds declare.
Tumultuous war now thro' the earth did cease,
And feuds gave way to universal peace;
Vindictive Rome quite satiate with blood,
Like to a glutted monster quiet stood;
Proscriptions ceas'd, but not till Tully's fate
Was seal'd to shew the evils of the state;
And that vain Emperor, who to his pride
Could give up freedom, yea, his friends beside,
Now sat to hear his flatt'rers offer up
Libations from their vile dissembling cup,
While he to render state nor station free,
With haste now issues forth his great decree,
That all his wide domains should taxed be.

The arbitrary summons all obey,
For despotism reigns with boundless sway.
Thus when Oppression first rear'd high his rod,
Fear shrunk, and turn'd the Tyrant to a God.
Each district to its city now repair'd,
Not age or sex could meet the least regard,
All are enroll'd, ev'n Pharisee and Scribe,
Must now appear with family and tribe.
Of royal blood of Judah's famous line
A pair to Bethl'em came, to pay their fine;
By poverty made low, yet rich in zeal,
Did ever goodness with Jehovah fail!
The Husband's name was Joseph, and his Bride
Was Mary call'd, humility her guide;
Forewarn'd of God, she at the accomplish'd time,
Brought forth the Saviour Christ, a King sublime;
But ah! so mean, a stable was the inn,
A manger held th' Extirpater of Sin.
And tho' so high, from earthly pomp conceal'd,
His birth to mighty Rome was not reveal'd;
But humble Shepherds keeping watch by night
Over their flocks, receiv'd this glorious light
From Gabriel, one of th' ethereal line,
Who thus address'd them, in those strains divine.
I bring you peace, dismiss your needless fears,
Receive the tidings which all nature cheers;
Ev'n now to you in holy David's town
Salvation, God's best gift, comes freely down,
Of Mary, whom the purest charms adorn,
The holy Christ, the great Messiah's born:
Go seek your Saviour, and observe this sign,
In swadling cloaths is wrapt the Babe divine,
And in a manger does Immanuel shine.

The Shepherds rais'd their eyes in great amaze,
Almost o'ercome with the resplendent blaze;
When to the heav'nly Harbinger there came
A num'rous host of the angelic frame,
Joining in praises, and with loudest strains
Sung Hallelujahs to their King who reigns
O'er all,—in all, who sent his only Son
To finish what his mercy had begun.
Enraptur'd with the news the Shepherds flew
And found the Babe expos'd to public view.
Thus was the union hypostatical,
Which rescu'd Man from his destructive fall;
And which at once astonish'd, sav'd and blest,—
To all the nations round made manifest:
This was the myst'ry to the just made known,
The holy Simeon rich in faith, was one.
Full of that spirit which reveals all truth,
The consolation waiting from his youth,
Who when he'd seen the goodness of the Lord,
His heart a song of thankful rapture pour'd.

Like as the swan when drawing near the end
Of her existence will her last breath spend
To sing her solemn dirge in warbling strains,
Fearless (as Poets tell) of dying pains.
So holy Simeon his last requiem sings,
To Christ his Saviour, as the Mother brings
Him to the Temple, fearless of th' alarms
Of death, he takes him in his longing arms;
And in the fulness of his soul declares
The mercies of his God, in fervent pray'rs.
While with a holy flame my heart doth glow
In peace, O Lord, let now thy servant go;
For thy salvation have I seen this day,
The rock of ages Isr'el's glorious stay,
To all the Gentile world the heav'nly light,
Yea such a wonder glads my failing sight,
In thee my Saviour, God and Man unite.
Thus in the Temple sung the holy Seer,
The list'ning wond'ring crouds the tidings hear;
While 'midst their fervent joys the Virgin blest,
Receives the holy Infant to her breast;
Chanting the strains which thankful minds engage
Recorded to be hymn'd in ev'ry age.
My grateful soul doth magnify the Lord,
And in my heart my Saviour is ador'd;
For he regardful of my humble state
Hath chosen me from Daughters of the Great;
And now behold succeeding ages shall
In rapt'rous wonder me God's Mother call.
For He the God of everlasting fame
Hath blessed me and holy is his name.
His tender mercies doth he wide extend
To ev'ry generation without end;
His holy arm all nations gathers in
And ev'ry humble soul's restor'd from sin.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat,
And high exalted those of low estate;
To Abra'm he his promise will maintain
Which to his faithful seed shall e'er remain.
Such was the Virgin's song, such was her praise,
Thankful altho' adorn'd with glorious rays
Of pow'r divine, declaring to Mankind
Humility must true devotion bind.

Here let th' ambitious Mortal make a stand,
Who vaults in pride, and braves th' Almighty's hand;
Let him reflect on the Messiah's birth,
That God supreme should mix with sinful earth;
Should deign his earthly being to receive,
Remov'd from all the comforts wealth could give;—
No stately rooms, no downy couch to rest
His Virgin Mother, weary and distress'd
With her long toil, and tho' of royal blood,
Almost a stranger to Earth's common good.
Such was the station which our Saviour chose
T' encounter guilt, to free Man from his foes,
Born in a stable, led a life obscure,
Was oft insulted, as he pass'd each door
With sad revilings, scoft at as the son
Of a mechanick, and despis'd as one
Who shew'd himself the Publicans fast friend,
And to vile sinners did his love extend.
Mistaken Men, like Caiaphas you speak,
Who said it was expedient, for the sake
Of all the people, that the Christ should die,
But what he said, he spoke unwittingly.
Ev'n so when you your Saviour dare revile,
And say that Publicans receiv'd his smile,
And that he was the wretched sinners friend,
Do not reflect—this was his only end.
For when he conquer'd sin, and rent the grave
All were vile sinners, whom he deign'd to save.

The great Forerunner's mission now began,
Who preach'd aloud Salvation's come to Man.
Ye senseless nations, deep involv'd in sin
Ye crooked, harden'd, let repentance win
You to your God, behold the holy Lamb,
The promis'd sacrifice, the great I AM.
I verily baptize with Jordan's stream,
But he who after comes deserves such fame,
That ev'n to bear his shoes I can't aspire—
Shall baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire.

In expectation all the people mus'd,
And in their thoughts of Christ was much confus'd;
Thinking the Baptist He—with longing eyes
They view'd, then deem'd that under him should rise
The house of Isr'el, and that quickly they
Would be deliver'd from the Roman sway.
That he would David's regal house maintain,
And give them rule and liberty again;
But of a heavenly reign, tho' King of Kings,
They little thought, nor understood such things.
Thus have I seen an infant at his play,
Throw wholesome food for paltry trash away:
Nor can substantial good attract his sight,
But tinsell'd trifles form his chief delight.

John still continu'd to declare around
Now was the time, th' accepted season found.
Ye, whom in this clear stream, I now baptize,
Learn thro' repentance happiness to prize!
'Tis your Redeemer, him of whom I spake,
Your gracious God, who bids you all forsake
Your evil ways—who comes as with a fan
To fan like chaff, guilt from degen'rate Man;
Who comes adorn'd with purity most bright,
Who is, and ever was the truth and light.

While thus the Prophet their approaching good
Reveal'd, the people in amazement stood.
Yet some whom he baptiz'd unto him came,
Saying, that now thou must support thy fame;
If not the Christ, why dost thou then baptize?
Art thou Elias, whom we trust shall rise,
And happiness restore to Isr'el's race,
Say art thou come to bid our troubles cease?
The Prophet answer'd—I've baptiz'd 'tis true,
But he of whom I spake, is now in view;
And as refiners purify their gold
With fire intense, from all its drossy mould,
So will the great Messiah you refine
And like pure gold, will make your nature shine:
I'm come a witness only to disperse
His glorious deeds to all the universe.