Malvern Hills with Minor Poems, and Essays. By Joseph Cottle. Fourth Edition |
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CHRISTMAS HYMN. |
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CHRISTMAS HYMN.
1
THE night is fair! The planets, glorious,In silent pomp their rule maintain;
The shepherds, on the hills of Judah,
Behold, with awe, the starry train,
And worship, bending low the head,
Him, who through heaven such wonders spread.
2
What voice is that? — Symphonious numbers,Aloft in air, are faintly heard!
And now they nearer draw, and nearer!
Cherubs are seen! — The liquid word,
Entrancing, steals, like zephyr, forth,
“Good-will to man, and peace on earth!”
3
While now, enraged, the Powers of Darkness,For conflict rally round their king,
The Son of God, from heaven descending,
Comes, borne upon the Seraph's wing!
Lo! countless guards, (in concord sweet,)
“Glory to God!” aloud, repeat!
4
Love, undeserved, our thought surpassing!(How full the fount from which it flows!)
The Prince of Peace assumes our nature,
To rescue man from endless woes!
He comes, with mercy, full and free,
To sound the sinner's jubilee!
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5
The Lord of Life, so long predicted,In all his Father's might appears!
Ye righteous! rich in consolation,
Glad tidings now salute your ears!
See, Prophecy her page unfold!
The Vision of the Lamb, behold!
6
What royal birth-place Him must welcome?What sumptuous palace? — garb of state?
What monarchs, proud of their obeisance,
Must bend around a guest so great?
All costly robes of Tyrian dye
Before the Lord of Life must lie!
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Ah, no! His palace was a stable!No guards, obsequious homage pay!
His royal birth-place was a manger,
And straw, the couch on which he lay!
Humility for ever crown'd!
Here was the Heir of all things found!
8
Well might the breasts of happy spiritsExperience high and strange delight!
Well might such spectacle of mercy,
From heaven, angelic hosts invite,
To witness, till that hour unknown,
Such grace to man, rebellious, shown!
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9
Saviour! accept our spirits' incense —That thou, to earth, didst cast thine eye!
That thou, thyself, didst freely offer,
That we, in hope, might live and die!
We give thee praise! we bend our knee!
We consecrate our hearts to thee!
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