XVI.

Jocund to lead the Way, with sparkling Rays,
Danc'd a Star-errant up the orient Sky;
The new-born Splendor streaming o'er the Place,
Where Jesus lay in bright Humility,
Seem'd a fixt Star unto the wond'ring Eye:
Three Seers unwist the Captain-Glory led,
Of awful Semblance, but of sable Die.
Full royally along the Lawn They tread,
And each with circling Gold embraved had his Head.

XVII.

Low, very low on bended Knee they greet
The Virgin-Mother, and the Son adore,
The Son of Love! and kiss his blessed Feet;
Then ope the Vases and present their Store,
Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh; what cou'd they more!
For Gold and Myrrh a dying King divine;
The Frankincense, from Arab 's spicy Shoar,
Confess'd the God; for God did in him Shine:
Myrrh, Frankincense and Gold, God-Man, were meetly Thine.

XVIII.

And last, triumphant on a purple Cloud,
Fleecy with Gold, a Band of Angels ride:
They boldly sweep their Lyres, and, hymning loud,
The richest Notes of Harmony divide;
Scarce Thomalin the Rapture cou'd abide:
And ever and anon the Babe they eye,
And through the fleshly Veil the God descry'd,
Shrill Hallelujahs tremble up the Sky:
" Good-Will and Peace to Man, " the Choirs in Heav'n reply.

XIX.

They ended: and all Nature soon was chang'd!
O'er Diamond-Pebbles ran the liquid Gold:
And side by side the Lamb and Lion rang'd
The flow'ry Lawn. The Serpent gently roll'd
His glistering Spires, and playfull Tongue outloll'd
To lick the Infant-Hand. Together fed
The Wolf and Kid, together sought a Fold.
The Roses blush'd with more celestial Red;
Hell groan'd through all her Dens; and grim Death drop'd down dead.

XX.

Whilom these Scenes the tuneful Twick'nbam Swain ,
With Esay's heav'nly Pencil taught to glow:
Then cease, O cease, the antiquated Strain;
Nor marr His Song: but reverently go,
And in the Temple of his Muses bow. —
Delight and Wonder broke the Shepherd's Dream;
Faded the Scenes: and, in a goodly Row,
Rush'd on his Eyes the Muses well-lov'd Theme,
Fair Rhedicyna 's Tow'rs, and Isis ' sacred Stream!