Redemption: a poem in twenty books

Front matter

T REDEMPTION. REDEMPTION; & IN TAVENTY BOOKS. By GEORGE WOODLEY, Jutkor of " the Church Yard," and other Poems, AOL. I. TRURO : Printed by and for Michell and Co. 8, High Cross; SOLD BY MESSRS. LAW AND WHITTAKER, 13, AVE-MARIA'IANE, A\D J. HATCHARD, BOOKSELLER TO ItER MAJESTY, 90, PICCADILLY, LONDON. 1810. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE CHARLES, EARL OF CRAWFORD AND LINDSAY, VISCOUNT GARNOCK, Ssc. $c. $c. AS A SINCERE, THOUGH HUMBLE, TESTIMONIAL OF ADMIRATION AND RESPECT FOR THE INVARIABLE TENDENCY OF HIS LIFE AND WRITINGS TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF MANKIND; AND IN GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF NUMEROUS PERSONAL FAVOURS, THIS POEM, IS HUMBLY INSCRIBED, BY HIS LORDSHIP'S MOST OBLIGED AND OBEDIENT SERVANT, THE AUTHOR. To Mr. George Wood lev > OH, HIS POEM CALLED "REDEMPTION." What though nor AVealth nor literary Fame Attend thy Labours, and disperse thy Name ; Yet if Integrity with Faith combine, In Heav'n a bright Reversion may be thine.

When Troubles or Neglect the bosom vex, AATien pale Affliction's baneful Train perplex ; These strive to bear with Resignation fit, And patiently to Heav'n's high AVill submit ; Knowing our mighty Master aud our Lord, AVhose Life was blameless like his holy AVord, AVhose spotless Soul no Sin whate'er defil'd, While all mankind to Vices are beguil'd, These Ills — *( though great, but transient Ills ) — and AVithout repining at his Station, bore. O let its Blessings well be understood, For great of sacred Patience is the Good ; To Heav'n the suff 'ring Christian it endears, Augments his Comforts, and his Senses clears ; AA'hile proud Impatience always is incliu'd more, To injure and confuse the restless Mind. Be wise to think, and firm to persevere, Nor yield to anxious and desponding Fear : To the known gen'rous British Temper trust, At length they will bestow the Praises just ; Nor scorn a Poet, with true Genius fir'd, To celebrate his Saviour who aspir'd. CRAAVFORD and LINDSAY Richmond Hill, October 23rd, 1815, REDEMPTION.

Book I. Vol

I. THE ARGUMENT. The subject proposed, aud the choice thereof justified by the laxity of modern poetry, and other considerations. The nature and design of the work. A contemplation of the mag nitude of Redemption gives occasion to an address both to an imate and inanimate nature. Dedication of the poem to the members of the universal Church. Address to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit ; whose prominent attributes, offices, and operations, are specified, and who are severally in voked. Address to the angels. The subject opens ivith the appearance of an angel to the Virgin Mary, whilst at her mid night devotions. He salutes her as the favoured of Heaven. Mary enquires the reason of his visit, attd is informed that she is elected to give birth to the Saviour of mankind. Mary men tions her unwedded state us an objection, but is informed that the nature of the Redeemer is such that none but God can be his Father, although it is expedient that he should derive his hu manity from her.

The mystery of the union of the two natures is declared to be beyond the reach of human understanding ; she is exhorted, therefore, to a submissive faith. She express es her obedience to the Divine Will, and the angel departs. ftettnnjrtum*

BOOK I THE ANNUNCIATION.

OF Man's Redemption — of a God in flesh, And human nature join'd to the Divine ; Heav'n's gates to all believers wide display'd, And the fierce-flaming sword of justice (once Darting on ev'ry side to g*uard the way 5 To life's fair tree) in Mercy's scabbard sheath'd — Vent'rous I sing. AA'hile man's sad lapse is hymn'd In numbers such as might a seraph charm ; Say, pow'r of sacred song ! why yet untouch'd The harp remains to celebrate his rise ? 10 If sin's foul exercise such song deserve, How much the more demands a nobler lay B •M 26 30 35 40 That wondrous exercise of sovereign Grace By which the deadly plague of sin is stay'd, And boundless good from blackest evil drawn ! Shall heathen idols — gods of wood and stone, (Stupid and dull as those who worship them) Be still ador'd, and our Redeeming Lord AVith all his mighty wonders be unsung ?

Idols ador'd! said 1 ? — the fact is plain, E'en to the condemnation of an age That vaunts itself on unexampled light: AA'hat though no victims on their altars smoke, Nor crowds of vot'ries to their temples press To filthy rites obscene; what though their fanes Stand trembling e'en when gentle Zephyr's wing Salutes them softly as he skims along ? — Yet are their praises sung in lofty verse, — In verse sublime ! and unsuspicious throngs, Smit with the strain, resound the noxious lay, And pæans to those idol-mummies raise, Blaspheming th' ear of Heav'n ! — Ambition, pride, And all the vices which infest the earth, Have found their sev'ral shrines in guilty verse ; AA'hile the bright truths and rich realities Display'd in Revelation's glorious page, Neglected lie ; unnotic'd and unknown ; And heathen themes a Christian age disgrace ! And will not one arise to vindicate The truths of Heav'n ? Is there no pious muse, REDEMPTION. 5

BOOK I.

45 r>0 i 55 60 65 As yet by folly uncontaminate, To sweep the chords with such superior skill As bears some faint relation to the theme That asks the pow'rs of all ? — If all beside Stand silent, nor by aught will be induc'd To raise the holy strain, too long delay'd ; My timid muse, albeit unprepar'd With learning's lore, and unsupported too By those facilities to thought and song AA'hich calm retirement yields, shall still essay The solemn task ; haply her zeal shall give Those pow'rs her wayward fate has yet denied; And teach her such a lofty strain to raise As shall rejoice her Zion's native groves. AVake, then, my muse ; my glory and my crown AVake, lute and harp, with all your tuneful pow'rs ! Myself, before the morning shall arise, AVill wake and sing ; nor shall the night prevent (Or greatly interrupt) the sacred lay.

Sing that pure life which honour'd ev'ry law From Sinai's flaming brow in thunder giv'n; Proclaim the cruel, ignominious death AVhich Love to Justice gave ; then swell the strain : Let the united hosts of Heav'n and earth In shouts of triumph celebrate the Pow'r That foil'd the keeper of the gloomy grave, And hail th' ascended* Arictor-Son of God ! Asham'd 1 take a retrospective glance E 75 SO 85 90 95 And see the years that have already fled — How great their number and how small their gain ! How many or how few in fate's dark womb Remain for me, I know not : short perhaps My span may be, and nearly at its ebb My sand may all have run ! As one who slights His daily task till eve's inclining shades AATarn him to diligence, with double haste Sets to his work, lest swift-approaching night Find him amidst his labours unperform'd, — So would I strive past moments to redeem ; Or, by improvement of the present, seek For former hours of leisure to atone.

AA'hat though not yet the hand of hoary Time Hath strew'd his frosty honours o'er my head ; Nor Age's deep'ning furrows mark'd my brow; Nor Sickness chill' d the raptures of my soul ; — Yet, well 1 feel, the iron-grasp of Care, And Grief's corroding streams — more baleful foes To Life and Peace then Sickness, Age, or Time ! — Have wrought sad havoc in my failing frame; And soon, perchance, a premature old age Shall quench my fire and snap my humble strings. This to prevent, — while health and strength endure Fain would my soul an Ebenezer raise Of holy gratitude ; fain weave a wreath — (0 ! might it be unfading as the Goodness The which it twines t' adorn!) — to testily book i. REDEMPTION. 7 Her deep remembrance of the numerous acts Of heav'nly mercy, whose continued streams So oft have cheer'd her in her lonely way Through this dark pilgrimage ; but chief of all 100 To celebrate that mighty act of grace — The world's Redemption through the Son ov God !

Fir'd with th' entransive theme, my struggling muse No longer can her Heav'nward flight restrain; But whilst the glorious vision opens round 105 And to her rapt extatic eye presents The wond'rous treasures of Redeeming Love — The Father reconcil'd ! — the Filial God From Heav'n descending! — man to Godhead join'd! — Death foil'd !— Hell balk'd !— the gates of bliss display'd 110 To all believers ! — -and celestial throngs Quiring hosannahs to the Great Three-One ! — Spreads her bold pennons, and her flight pursues Like the proud eagle, tow'riiig to the sun ! Assist her, all ye ministers of grace ! 115 The common themes of prostituted verse — The little pets and jealousies of kings (Unworthy of the muse's sacred lore !) — ■ She tramples with disdain ; nor does the page Of Nature's wonders — though with wisdom fraught 120 And sweet instruction — animate her song : Immensely far above them all she soars, And of the King of Kings, and Nature's God, Advent'rous dares to sing.

Though vast th' attempt, — 130 135 140 14i 150 In Him confiding whom she strives to praise, Boldly she spreads her vans and wafts away. Yet must she weep, O sightless bard ! for thee, Unblest Mæonides ! from whom was hid The sacred Revelation ; nor the less Her tears for thee, 0 tuneful Maro ! fall : Had ye but known, and to conviction felt The rich, the precious truths she strives to sing, How would your lays have triumph'd over death ! Time, who with rude aud devastating hand Whirls to the clouds, in dust, man's noblest works, Co-mingled with the hills whereon they stood ; — E'en Time's corrosive tooth had spar'd your verse AVhich to eternity through Heav'n had rung! YV, haply, when th' archangel's trump shall sound, And from their heavy slumbers rouse the dead ; Ye then, with us, a lofty part may bear, And sing the wonders of Redeeming Love !

O for a voice that might outroar the sea AVhen lash'd to mutiny by angry winds, And make the thunder seem a murm'ring sound ! That so 1 might to all the world proclaim (AA'ith John, the great precursor of the Lord !) « Behold the Lamb of God! who takes away (Stupendous load !) th' offences of the world !' Hear, hear, 0 Heav'ns ! and ye refulgent orbs, That people the immensity of space ; And as the glorious theme my verse unfolds,

BOOK I. REDEMPTION.

9 155 160 165 170 175 180 AA'ith brighter lustre shine your Maker's praise ! O ! earth and sea, with all your num'rous hosts, Your silence I require in his dread name AVho spoke you into being at a word ! Y'e winds, which boast a charter unconfin'd ; Be hush'd within your eaves, nor let a breath Or whisper break the universal calm. Y'e billows, which with long-resounding roar Foam forth your evidence of Power Divine To earth's remotest coasts ; sink gently down To halcyon slumbers and a crystal plane. Cat'racts, that thunder as ye, tumbling, shake The precipice abrupt ; — forests, that wave The leafy honours of your shaggy brows Iu graceful dalliance with the sportive winds ; Monsters, that dwell within the cavern'd rock ; And ye who in the main's profoundest caves In your dread pastime cause the deep to boil ; At once your gambols and your tumults cease : Yrour Maker's glory animates my song, And in His Name your silence I require.

But chief to you would I address my lay, . Sons of Redemption ! Favourites of Heav'n ! Who, by strong credence in the holy page Whence flows at once my confidence and song, Walk, day by day as Enoch, with your God ! Companions ! Brethren in the common faith ! Natives of Zion ! Think, O grateful think, 195 200 205 How great the grace — the blessing how immense On man conferr'd in rich Redemption's plan ! Not Sinai's gloomy brow, in terror cloth'd, AVith flashing fires and tortuous clouds engirt ; — Not the archangel-trump's tremendous blast, AATiich erst through Israel scatter'd wild dismay ; — Not these terrific themes now ask your thoughts : But Zion's sacred, peace-proclaiming mount, And Zion's gracious Monarch court your love. Then blame not if the humblest of the train That bears the christian name, essay to fan The sacred fire that glows within your breasts ; But let your hearts so second his design That fresh ascriptions of immortal praise To Heav'ns high courts may rise, from ev'ry tongue !

At present, but in part we comprehend Redemption's wond'rous work ; a work so vast That angel-faculties in vain desire To understand its marvellous extent ; But, when the narrow stream of death is cross'd, The film shall be remov'd ; the darken'd glass That intercepts our view, shall be withdrawn. And stronger pow'rs of vision on our souls Pour the full tide of intellectual dav. Then, on the wings of knowledge soaring high, More sweet, more loud, our joyous songs shall rise, And Christ shall be the everlasting theme ! O Tnou, who, vested in the blaze of light. REDEMPTION. 11

BOOK I.

210 Sire, 215 220 225 230 235 Dazzlest angelic vision when thy rays Shoot through the dark pavilion that surrounds The matchless glories of thy burning throne ! Thou Great First Cause, and Self-existent AVhom fully to describe not all the names That men or angels bear, are adequate, Nor language can express, nor thought conceive ! — 4 Around whose tall effulgence-darting seat, The virtues move in one eternal round — (Upheld and emanant alike from Thee; Harmonious all, and each to each attun'd !) Impartial Justice ; AAtisdom most profound; Unerring Truth; unchanging Faithfulness; Soft, melting Mercy ; strong and fervent Love. — Thou ! who on high Perfection's pinnacle, Immensely far above th' angelic hosts, Sublimely sitt'st, and to Thy Sov'reign "Will Direct'st the events of Heav'n, and earth, and hell, Permitting or restraining, as to Thee In Thine unerring goodness best is known: — Teach me some new expressions !

Teach my heart Powers of language yet to man deny'd ; Since all that words and all that thought can reach, Fall so immensely short of Thy desert, That our best praises derogate from Thee ! O ! well Thou knowest — (Searcher of the heart AVell must Thou know!) — with what unwearied zeal, Patience, and care, and anxious diligence, 250 255 200 Have I explor'd thy word : how oft have conn'd Each sacred book and verse ; from him who sung How, to the music of thy potent voice, Worlds out of chaos into order sprung, E'en to the last of all Thine holy seers ; If haply from their labours I might find Aught of prophetic strain, tradition, rite, Or whatsoever else my soul might aid To comprehend Redemption's depths profound : That so my song, the while it strove to praise Thy grace and goodness, to the humble heart That builds upon thy word might comfort yield ; AA'hilst the proud infidel allur'd to search That mine of truth from which my stores I drew, Might (if consistent with thy gracious will) Cast off the pois'nous cloke of reas'niiig pride That clogs his wing, and ties him to the earth, And soar into the Heav'n of Christian faith !

And if, amidst the hallow'd leaves I found Some trace, though faint, of this mysterious plan; Ev'n as a diver, when his hands have grasp'd A pearl — less precious than such hap to me ! Or as a fainting pilgrim, when he hears The stream that rises to salute his spade ; So did my heart rejoice, and bless the toil, Crown'd with a recompence so rich and great ! Thou know'st how oft, in heart-indited pray'r, I crav'd thy special guidance; fearing much IS 265 270 275 280 285 290 REDEMPTION.

BOOK I.

Aught to omit or pen, unwarranted : How, in the favour of this cherish'd theme, I banish'd ev'ry lesser, worldly thought And, when descending night allur'd to rest — (Night the sole season when I could indulge Those pious reveries ; — to cares inur'd Throughout the day, that often check'd my song) Rest I declin'd ; but trimm'd my pallid lamp, — Engross'd, absorb'd, in meditations high : Or, on my couch, beguil'd my aching eyes, (AVhich their accustom'd respite ask'd in vain) To contemplate the ever-cherish'd theme ! Shine, then, my Father and Protector ! shine AVith double rays of savour on my task ! And may this humble labour of my muse — Design'd to celebrate thy matchless love And win mankind to confidence in Thee — Find the rich boon of thy applausive smile, — By inward peace and the soul's sunshine known ; Then greater joy shall swell my grateful heart Than should the monarchs of the earth combine To weave the chaplet to adorn my brows !

And Thou, co-equal, co-eternal Son ! Thou Filial God, and Saviour of the world ! — Thou, who, long ere the Holy Spirit's pow'r (Brooding on darkness and confusion) form'd This beauteous world and all yon starry host ; In Heav'ns high Council freely didst devote REDEMPflON. 14 book r. 295 300 305 310 315 320 Thyself to manhood and a cruel death, To save thy creature from his deadly fall (Thus help'd ere hurt ; foreseen, not fore-ordain'd) Thou whose delights were with the sons of men Long ere thou did'st the veil of flesh assume t AA'ho with our primal parents in lone walk, Or mead, or arbour green, oft converse held ; AVho stay'dst th' uplifted arm of Faith when rais'd To slay an only son; and, in the flames (AA'hich, back inclining, own'd the Son of God .') AA'alking wert seen amidst thy three, unhurt ; — Propitious look upon this humble lay !

And teach me rightly to proclaim to all The God incarnate and the Man Divine ! Let unbelievers scoff, and formal men Whose whole religion centres in the head But ne'er has reach'd the heart, contemn the lay That burns with love to Thee ; by Thee instructed I'll yield them pity for their keenest hate, And love for their rejppaches. Let them smite AA'ith all the force that envy can impart, And ev'ry pow'rful blow shall only serve To rivet my affections firm in Thee ! — Had the lov'd monarch of my native land Bless'd me with all to which his rule extends, AVealth, rank, and honour, and whatever else The worldling can desire ; would not mankind (And chiefly those who here my zeal would blame) REDEMPTION. 15

BOOK I.

323 330 335 340 345 Accuse me, justly, of ingratitude — Most sordid sin of a most sordid soul ! — If basely I disown'd the gen'rous hand AVhich thus could load me with its benefits ? And shall I then be dumb, nor speak my thanks. To Him whose greater kindness has insur'd A Heav'nly Kingdom and eternal crown To all his followers ! — who, with open hands Still stands to proffer peace and love to all ; AA'ho ne'er will turn the penitent away, Nor bid the suppliant seek His face in vain ? — He saw me bending o'er the tott'ring cliff Of empty pleasures, whilst beneath, the gulf Of deep destruction yawn'd to meet my fall ! He saw, and on the wings of His own love (For what of mortal or angelic passion Could reach to such extent ?) in haste he flew To snatch me from the brink ! E'er since, his grace Has led me, and his providential hand Supplied my every want ; — His crook my gaiide, His staff my sole support.

But 0 ! to tell The number of His mercies, would exceed The pow'rs of language ! Words are faint and cold, And far inadequate to speak the sum ; Yet is the record written in my heart, And though by men unread, my gracious Lord To whom all hearts are known, can read it there ! Celestial Dove, and Promis'd Paraclete ! 355 360 365 370 375 AVhose office 'tis to take the precious truths Of Christ and life, and open them to men ; Thy special aid I crave. O ! if my tongue Of Alan's Redemption may presume to sing, — Teach me to sing aright ; and in my lay Let grace with graces sweetly intermix. No other guide 1 ask, nor pattern seek : Nor will I sedulously strive to frame My numbers to the critic's rigid art; Art here were needless, and phlegmatic rules Coldly pursued were almost criminal: Be mine the boast to leap those narrow bounds AATiich tyrant custom to the muse hath set, And on the wing-s of extacy upborne, Indulge in all the liberty of light.

If smooth, or rough, or high, or low, the song, Let Thy just hand through all its parts be seen, Arranging, harmonizing, stamping all. O ! from the golden altar of the Lord Whose fragrant perfume glads th' empyreal plains, A living coal convey, to purify Those lips that dare to sing of holy things! Grant me some portion of that hallow'd fire Which warm'd the bosoms of thy saints of old : But in full ardour in his works was found Before whose piercing, faith-illuniin'd eye The sable curtains of the future h ur Aside were drawn; who through the mists of time 385 390 395 400 And unborn periods look'd, with vision clear; And, in sublime and heart-entrancing strains, Hail'd the great mission of the Prince of Peace, Propitious Seraphs ! Messengers of grace ! Ye who, commission'd by the Great Supreme, AVatch o'er the thoughts of man; each loose idea To check on its conception ; to controul The sinful sallies of a wand'ring heart, E'er prone to deviate from the narrow path Of holy rectitude : — whose duty 'tis To bridle in the weak, erratic soul, And curb Imagination's lawless flights; Come, and assist me in the holy theme.

Your utmost vigilance and skill employ Far hence to keep whatever thought or care Might for a moment check, or draw aside, My whole attention from the sacred work. AVhen nature droops beneath the arduous toil, And strength renew'd in relaxation seeks ; Be ever present ; all excess prevent ; So, with new pow'rs of body and of mind, Cheerful and ably I my task may end. Of Love Divine and Grace without a bound, Fain would my ardent muse aspire to sing ; But 0 ! what notes, what numbers shall she choose To render justice to so great a theme ! — A theme surpassing far the proudest boasts Of Greek or Roman lyre ! — a theme to live vol. r. c 410 415 420 425 430 When worlds shall crumble, elements dissolve And all creation into nothing fade ! Nature and all her works shall be destroy'd And plastic Art shall share the common fate ; Nor will the song that celebrates their praise Meet with a happier lot.

My prudent muse By choosing such a subject, would secure Eternal life and honour to her lays ; For the stupendous labour of her verse Shall last whilst long eternity endures ! Say, Heav'nly Chiefs and Chorists of the sky ! AA'hat strains, what language shall she then select As best may with the mighty theme accord ? Glorious and terrible was the display Of Pow'r Divine, when, from th' ethereal plains To Hell's dire centre fell th' ejected throng Of mighty beings, only less in strength Than God himself; — then stronger glow'd Thine arm. Omnipotence Divine ! than e'er beside ! — But, to redeem a death-devoted race Of more ignoble mould, and raise them up To fill the vacant throues of those who fell ; — This was so vast a miracle of Love, That — (pause, my soul, and tremble at the thought !) Scarce even God himself could more perform !

O ! then for wisdom equal to my task ! May heav'nly light irradiate my miud ; May grace and knowledge blend throughout the song ; book i. REDEMPTION. 19 435 '» 440 445 450 455 4G0 And joy and glory consummate the whole ! — It burns ; il glows ! I feel the holy flame Of sacred Inspiration warm my bieast: The subject opens to my wond'ring view, And all Redemption stands before mine eye ! 'TWAS at the solemn hour of Nature's rest, AATien Darkness, leagu'd with Silence, rul'd the earth, That, led by meditations pure and sweet, (For pleasure e'er with purity resides) A pious daughter of Jerusalem Rose from her couch ; and in oraisons soft — (Her common practice) pass'd the midnight hours. AA'hilst thus, inspir'd by fervour's holy glow — Alike from cold indifference remov'd And superstitious zeal — in secret she Pour'd forth the breathings of a virtuous soul To Him whose penetrating eye surveys, With equal pow'r, the sun's meridian beam And the mid darkness of the solid night ; — A sudden blaze of lustre shone around, And fill'd the chamber with angelic day ; AVhilst balmy odours to the ravish'd sense Unutterable extacy bestow'd !

Raising her head with mingled joy and awe A heav'nly form the wond'ring Virgin view'd ; — Bright were his golden locks, and on his cheek The amaranthine glow of innocence Was sweetly blended with benignity ! C 475 480 485 His fair right hand a verdant olive bore— (Celestial emblem of his gracious errand!) But, round his fulgent form, a silky cloud Convolv'd in graceful folds, and form'd a veil Through which her eyes might more serenely view The splendid sight ; else had they fail'd before The blaze of glory, and excessive day Had seal'd them up in everlasting night ! Struck with such feeling as the Patriarch knew When blazing high he saw the sacred bush, Yet, like the fabled animal, unhurt 'Midst the devouring element ; the maid Admiring gaz'd awhile ; then, bending low, AVorshipp'd the bright appearance, while amaze, And joy, and holy terror, fill'd her soul.

Her fears the gentle seraph soon discern'd (For such was he who now before her stood) And thus, in words soft as the ev'ning's breeze, Sought kindly to alleviate: " All hail ! Hail Mary, highly favour'd of the Lord ! The Lord is with thee : greatly bless'd art thou Above the most exalted of thy sex !" To whom the Afirgin — soon as holy awe Allowed the gentle effluence of speech — In modest words — (sure sign of inward worth) AVith low and fault'ring voice thus answer made : " Bright chieftain of the armies of the sky ! (For such thy majesty and form declare) Say why to me this solemn visit paid; To me, the least, th' unworthiest of the few AVho for the mercy of Jehovah wait ?" 490 AVhereto the smiling seraph answer'd soon : " Fear not, O Mary, mark'd for mighty grace! No common purpose, from th' empyreal plains Hath brought me here to thee.

If angels told The birth of him who to thy race of old Gave a short respite from Philistine bonds, Yet fell at last, by wanton wiles o'ercome ; How much the more might one be sent to shew The coming of their Great Deliverer, 495 500 Who not from the oppressor's iron yoke — Their sins' just punishment ! — shall set them free ; But from the more intolerable state Of bondage to th' envenom'd pow'rs of guilt; And by the heav'nly regions — (typified By those to which Jehoshua led them out From Egypt's laud of night and servitude) Conduct them; there in endless bliss to dwell. Nor them alone, but all the human race, Both Jew and Gentile, who shall leave alike Their sins and their imperfect righteousness, And on His merits only place all hope 505 510 Of their acceptance with the Deity, Shall He conduct to worlds of life and light. To thee, thou highly-favour'd ! 'tis decreed To give the Saviour birth, and tend His steps 515 C REDExAIPTION.

BOOK I

22 520 525 530 535 540 Until He enters on his glorious work, And graciously begins to save mankind." O'ercome with wonder at so rich a grace ; And, though by seraph warn'd, yet through excess Of diffidence, still backward to believe, The modest Virgin meekly thus rejoin'd : " How may this be ; since, from my infant days A life of close seclusion I have led ; And still unmarried am, although espous'd?" AA'hen thus the angel : " Not from man must spring The Saviour of mankind, for man is vile : All are corrupt; by nature have they stray'd And wander'd far from God ; by practice, more. From evil nought but evil can proceed Nor can good fruit grow on a noxious tree : How insufficient, then, the best of men To stand and intercede for man with God ! AA'herefore the Lord himself shall be His Sire, And own, by num'rous signs, His well-lov'd Son.

Y'et, that as Alan on earth He shall appear, His human nature He shall take from thee : 1 lence, overshadow'd by the Heav'nly Dove, Thou shalt conceive ; and this thine Holy Child Shall so, of right, be call'd the Son of God. Ask not, How this can be ? — to carnal sense 'Tis mystery incomprehensible ; E'en the celestial armies of the sky Desire, in vain, those awful depths to sound. book i. REDEMPTION. 21 AATiere reason cannot soar, true wisdom shines In humble credence and adoring faith. 545 Enough it is to piety, to know That God hath spoken ; and what He hath said Shall, to the utmost tittle, be perform'd." Whereto the Virgin — all her doubts dispers'd — 550 In deep humility thus answer made : " Behold th' obedient handmaid of the Lord! According to thy saying be th' event;" Then bow'd submissive ; whilst the shining form In one bright point his spreading radiance drew, And in soft shadows melted from the view ! 555 END OF