ODE, FOR THE NATIVITY of the MESSIAH

See, Light streaks the lengthening Lawn! See, th' auspicious Morning dawn, That hail'd MESSIAH to our Earth. When Bethlehem's unnotic'd Plains Resounded to the Angel Strains That solemniz'd his BIRTH. What Time the orient Sun arose, To chase the Shadows of infernal Night; To beam Destruction on our Foes, And chear the Nations with celestial Light. Blow then the Trump of Joy, ye favour'd Throng! Since JESU's BIRTH demands our choral Song.

Long-wish'd he comes to solve Sin's Chain, T'erase the Bond of penal Pain, That hapless Adam's Fall had wrote; To sheath the Sword by Justice wav'd, Thro' Sorrow's Pool his Paths he lav'd, And PARDON with his BLOOD has bought. He shuns all Pomp, all Pride disdains, No Cradle Down his Infant Bosom prest! Rough Oxen heard his plaintive Strains; An hay-stuff'd Manger was his softest Rest. Blow then the Trump of Joy, ye favour'd Throng! Since JESU's BIRTH demands our choral Song.

And lo! his CHRISTIAN BANNER rear'd, By Millions lov'd, by Myriads fear'd, Still waves us to the Rock of Rest; Come, Criminal, that's smit by Sin, (He only bids th' Unworthy in) Soft Pity's Tears bedew his Breast. He shall wash thine Aethiop Stain, In swan-plum'd Innocence thou shall appear, When Time gives up his measur'd Reign, And vast ETERNITY begins her Year. Blow then the Trump of Joy, ye choral Throng! Since JESU's BIRTH demands our annual Song.