ODE ON THE MORNING OF CHRIST'S NATIVITY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 101, 15 December 1939, Page 4 (Supplement)

ODE ON THE MORNING OF CHRIST'S NATIVITY

This is the month, and this the happy morn, Wherein the Son of Heaven's nal King Of wedded maid and virgin mother born, Our great redemption from above did bring ; For so the holy sages once did sing That He our deadly forfeit should release, And with His Father work us a perpetual peace. * * * * But peaceful was the night Wherein the Prince of Light His reign of peace upon the earth began ; The winds, with wonder whist, Smoothly the Avaters kist Whispering new joys to the mild ocean— Who now hath quite forgot to rave. While birds of calm sit brooding on the charmed Avave. qe 9 9 V The Shepherds on the laAvn Or ere the point of dawn Sate simply chatting in a rustic roAv; Full little thought they then That the mighty Pan Was kindly come to 1 ive with them beloAV ; Perhaps their 1oa t cs, or else their sheep Was all that did their silly thoughts se busy keep. When such music SAveet Their hearts arid ears did greet As neA-er Avas by mortal finger st rook— DiA'inely-Avarbled A r oice Answering the stringed noise, As all their souls in blcssful rapture took : The air, such pleasure loth to lose, With thousand echoes still prolongs each heaA'enly close. * * it * Ring out, ye crystal spheres ! Once bless our human ears, Tf ye poAver to touch our senses so ; And let your silver chime MoA r e in melodious timc^ And let the base of heaven's deep organ blow ; And Avith your ninefold harmony Make up full consort to the angelic symphony. s * # » But see, the Virgin blest Hath laid her babe to rest ; Time is, our tedious song should here haA*e ending ;

Heaven's youngest-teemed star Hath fix'd her polish'd car, Her sleeping Lord with hand-maid lamp attending : And all about the courtly stable Bright-harness'd angels sit in order serviceable. —John Milton.