ODE ON THE MORNING OF CHRIST'S NATIVITY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 32, 14 December 1945, Page 12 (Supplement)

ODE ON THE MORNING OF CHRIST'S NATIVITY

This is. the* month and this the happy morn Wherein the Son of Heaven's Eternal King Ol' 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 releaseAnd with His Father work us a perpetual peace. •.» Hut. peaceful was the night Wherein the Prince of Light His reign of peace upon the earth began; The. winds with wonder whist, Smoothly the waters kist Whispering new joys to the mild occan— Who now hath quite forgot to rave, While birds of calm sit brooding on j the charmed wave. # «* » The shepherds on the lawn Or ere the point of dawn Sate simply chatting in a rustic row;. Full little 'thought they then That the mighty Fan * Was kindly come to live with them below; Perhaps their loves ? or else their sheep Was all that did their silly thoughts .so busy keep. When such music sweet Their hearts anr.l ears did greet As never was by mortal linger struck— Divinely-warbled voice Answering the stringed noise 5 As all their souls in blessful rapture took: The aix*, such pleasure loth to lose ? With thousand echoes still prolongs each heavenly close. • • • <• Ring out, ye crystal spheres! Once bless our human ears ? If "ye have power to touch our senses so; And let your silver chime Move in melodious time; And let the base of heaven's deep organ below; And wii'h ninefold harmony Make up full consort to the angelic symphony. m m • • But see, the Virgin bles^t. Hath laid her babe to rest; Time. is ? our tedious song should here have ending; Heaven's youngest-teemed star Hath fix'tl her polisli'd car ; Her sleeping Lord with hand-maid lamp attending: all about the courtly stable. 3riglit-harness'd angels sit in order serviceable, —John Milton, j