Page:Redemption, a Poem.djvu/115

 REDEMPTION. 109

That day, their tribute to the Prince of peace ;

Who, though enslaved by Satan, and enchain'd

To hell's triumphal car, unknowing why,

Gave premonition of salvation near;

Who paid, involuntary, homage free,

And free partook of undeserved grace.

All save his own ; his own received him not ;

Though to the few, who did receive, he gave

The power to be made the sons of God ;

Born, nor of blood, nor will of flesh, nor man,

But of the Father born in mystic birth.

Italia first, as first in place and power,

The gates of Clusius shuts, and Januals

Of peace offers to Jacob's rising Star ;

Chief of Italia's deities, his keys,

The god gives up, foredoom'd to overthrow,

With emblems of superior power replaced,

When Rome, beloved of God, call'd to be saints,

Placed Israel's king on Caesar's lofty throne,

And Rome's proud eagles humbly stoop'd, to yield

Their place to that opprobrious, conqu'ring Sign,

Which, after, gleam' d illustrious in the skies.

Next warlike Lusitan hangs up his shield,

And with the Tarragon seeks war no more ;

While o'er his vine-clad hills, serene imbow'r'd,

Pyrenean cliffs, no longer rugged, smile.

So the Brigantes, and innum'rous hordes,

Britannia's soil a long time who disturbed

With barbarous contests, from Druidic rites,

A moment turn, and hostile arms, to greet

That glorious day, which seal'd the demons' pow'r.

But chief the isles among, the Isle of saints

�� �