Page:The Complete Poetical Works of John Milton.djvu/73

 UPON THE CIRCUMCISION

��With saintly shout and solemn jubily ; Where the bright Seraphim in burning row Their loud uplifted angel trumpets blow, And the Cherubic host in thousand quires Touch their immortal harps of golden

wires, With those just Spirits that wear victorious

palms,

Hymns devout and holy psalms Singing everlastingly :

That we 011 Earth, with undiscording voice, May rightly answer that melodious noise ; As once we did, till disproportioned Sin Jarred against Nature's chime, and with

harsh din Broke the fair music that all creatures

made

To their great Lord, whose love their mo- tions swayed

In perfect diapason, whilst they stood In first obedience, and their state of good. O, may we soon again renew that song, And keep in tune with Heaven, till God

ere long

To his celestial consort us unite, To live with Him, and sing in endless morn

of light !

��UPON THE CIRCUMCISION

(1634)

YE flaming Powers, and winged Warriors

bright, That erst with music, and triumphant song,

��First heard by happy watchful Shepherds'

ear,

So sweetly sung your joy the clouds along, Through the soft silence of the listening

night, Now mourn; and if sad share with us to

bear

Your fiery essence can distil no tear, Burn in your sighs, and borrow Seas wept from our deep sorrow. He who with all Heaven's heraldry whilere Entered the world, now bleeds to give us

ease.

Alas ! how soon our sin Sore doth begin His infancy to seize ! O more exceeding Love, or Law more

just? Just Law indeed, but more exceeding

Love !

For we, by rightful doom remediless, Were lost in death, till He, that dwelt

above High-throned in secret bliss, for us frail

dust

Emptied his glory, even to nakedness; And that great Covenant which we still

transgress Intirely satisfied, And the full wrath beside Of vengeful Justice bore for our excess, And seals obedience first with wounding

smart

This day; but oh ! ere long, Huge pangs and strong Will pierce more near his heart.

�� �