Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/352

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��JOHN MILTON

5/5 Hymn on the Morning of Christ's Nativity

rT was the Winter wilde,

While the Heav'n-born-childe, All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies; Nature in aw to him Had doiPt her gawdy trim,

With her great Master so to sympathi?e' It was no season then for her To wanton with the Sun her lusty Paramour.

Only with speeches fair She woo's the gentle Air

To hide her guilty front with innocent Snow, And on her naked shame, Pollute with sinfull blame,

The Saintly Vail of Maiden white to throw, Confounded, that her Makers eyes Should look so ncer her foul deformities.

But he her fears to cease,

Sent down the meek-eyd Peace,

She crown'd with Olive green, came softly sliding Down through the turning sphear His ready Harbinger,

With Turtle wing the amorous clouds dividing, And waving wide her mirtlc wand, She stnkcb a universal] Peace through Sea and Land.

No War, or Battails sound Was heard the World around,

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