Volume Iii Part 13 (2/2)

CHORUS.--By those sweet eyes, etc.

_Both._

We saw thee in thy balmy nest, Bright dawn of our eternal day!

We saw thine eyes break from their East And chase the trembling shades away; We saw thee, and we blest the sight, We saw thee by thine own sweet light.

_t.i.tyrus._

Poor world (said I), what wilt thou do To entertain this starry stranger?

Is this the best thou canst bestow, A cold and not too cleanly manger.

Contend, ye powers of heaven and earth, To fit a bed for this huge birth.

CHORUS.--Contend, ye powers, etc.

_Thyrsis._

Proud world (said I), cease your contest, And let the mighty Babe alone; The Phoenix builds the Phoenix nest, Love's architecture is all one.

The Babe whose birth embraves this morn Made his own bed ere he was born.

CHORUS.--The Babe whose birth, etc.

_t.i.tyrus._

I saw the curl'd drops, soft and slow, Come hovering o'er the place's head, Offering their whitest sheets of snow To furnish the fair Infant's bed: Forbear (said I), be not too bold; Your fleece is white, but 'tis too cold.

CHORUS.--Forbear (said I), etc.

_Thyrsis._

I saw the obsequious seraphins Their rosy fleece of fire bestow; For well they now can spare their wings, Since heaven itself lies here below: Well done (said I), but are you sure Your down so warm will pa.s.s for pure.

CHORUS.--Well done (said I), etc.

_t.i.tyrus._

No, no, your king's not yet to seek Where to repose his royal head; See, see, how soon his new-bloom'd cheek Twixt's mother's b.r.e.a.s.t.s is gone to bed: Sweet choice (said I), no way but so, Not to lie cold, yet sleep in snow.

CHORUS.--Sweet choice (said I), etc.

_Both._

We saw thee in thy balmy nest, Bright dawn of our eternal day!

We saw thine eyes break from their East And chase the trembling shades away; We saw thee, and we blest the sight, We saw thee by thine own sweet light.

CHORUS.--We saw thee, etc.

_Full Chorus._

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