Page:Redemption, a Poem.djvu/126

 120 REDEMPTION.

Jesus, with three of his beloved ; his face More glorious than the noonday sun, too bright Fo^Jnortal eye, his garments white as snow. Such splendor now beams from his infant face, Whilst sweet voiced cherubim in radiant bands, Incessant hymn the new creation's dawn.

Their music thrill'd the ear of shepherds, who, Abiding in the fields by night, kept watch Over their fleecy charge : " What sounds are these ?" So, each, with wondering awe, the other ask'd : "What heav'nly theme wakes such mellifluous notes ? Nor mortal voice, nor instrumental skill, Such music ever breath'd in mortal ear; Unless those sounds of voice and harp, discoursed By him, inspired, who once made Hebron's plains Resound, the while he tended his pleased flocks, Or spirits charm'd from guilty breast of Saul. Either some heav'nly embassage arrives, Fraught with new message to our race enthrall'd, (And Israel's chronicles profuse record Such envoys sent from 'fore the heav'nly throne,) Or else, that long wish'd hour at length hath dawn'd, And angel music hymns our Shiloh come ; Whereof late fame makes certain strange report. You 've heard of Mary? She of Joachim, And of the royal race in David's line? Thjj princess of a mighty house, beloved, Whom all had fervent hoped, would prove to raise Fall'n Juda from the dust, her state repair? This Mary, (incredible in Israel,) Hath vow'd, 'tis said, virginity to God. She, whom the mightiest princes eager sought,

�� �