Volume I Part 47 (1/2)
Phillips Brooks [1835-1893]
A CHRISTMAS HYMN Old Style: 1837
It was the calm and silent night!
Seven hundred years and fifty-three Had Rome been growing up to might, And now was Queen of land and sea.
No sound was heard of clas.h.i.+ng wars; Peace brooded o'er the hushed domain; Apollo, Pallas, Jove and Mars, Held undisturbed their ancient reign, In the solemn midnight Centuries ago.
'Twas in the calm and silent night!
The senator of haughty Rome Impatient urged his chariot's flight, From lordly revel rolling home.
Triumphal arches gleaming swell His breast with thoughts of boundless sway; What recked the Roman what befell A paltry province far away, In the solemn midnight Centuries ago!
Within that province far away Went plodding home a weary boor: A streak of light before him lay, Fall'n through a half-shut stable door Across his path. He pa.s.sed--for naught Told what was going on within; How keen the stars! his only thought; The air how calm and cold and thin, In the solemn midnight Centuries ago!
O strange indifference!--low and high Drowsed over common joys and cares: The earth was still--but knew not why; The world was listening--unawares.
How calm a moment may precede One that shall thrill the world for ever!
To that still moment none would heed, Man's doom was linked, no more to sever, In the solemn midnight Centuries ago.
It is the calm and solemn night!
A thousand bells ring out, and throw Their joyous peals abroad, and smite The darkness, charmed and holy now.
The night that erst no name had worn, To it a happy name is given; For in that stable lay new-born The peaceful Prince of Earth and Heaven, In the solemn midnight Centuries ago.
Alfred Domett [1811-1887]
”WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED THEIR FLOCKS BY NIGHT”
While shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around.
”Fear not,” said he, for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind; ”Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind.
”To you, in David's town, this day Is born, of David's line, The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, And this shall be the sign:
”The heavenly babe you there shall find To human view displayed, All meanly wrapped in swaddling bands, And in a manger laid.”
Thus spake the seraph; and forthwith Appeared a s.h.i.+ning throng Of angels, praising G.o.d, who thus Addressed their joyful song:
”All glory be to G.o.d on high, And to the earth be peace; Good will henceforth from Heaven to men Begin and never cease.”
Nahum Tate [1652-1715]
CHRISTMAS CAROLS