I.

'T Was Morn! the Fields were sprinkled o'er with Light,
The Folds unpent sent out their Flocks to feed:
A Shepherd-Boy, (young Thomalin he hight,)
With flying Fingers deftly tun'd his Reed;
Where auncient Ifis laves the Muses' Mead,
(Forever Smile the Mead and flow the Stream!)
He sung the Birth of David 's holy Seed:
Tho' low his voice, full lofty was his Theme;
Wightly his Senses all were rapt into a Dream.

II.

Estsoons he spy'd a Grove, the Season's Pride,
All in the Centre of a pleasant Glade,
Where Nature flowrish'd like a Virgin-Bride;
Mantled with Green, with Hyacinths inlay'd,
And Crystal-Rills o'er Beds of Lillies stray'd;
The blue-ey'd Violet and King-Cup gay,
And newblown-Roses, smiling sweetly-red,
Outglow'd the blushing Infancy of Day,
While amorous West-Winds kist their fragrant Souls away.

III.

A rich Pavilion rear'd within its Height,
The Capitals and Freezes Gold entire,
Glist'ning with Carbuncles; a various Light
Wav'd tremulous, and set the Eye on Fire.
A silken Curtain, drawn on silver Wire,
And ting'd with Colours of the summer Sky,
Flow'd round, and bade the ruder Gales retire.
Four Forms attendant at the Portals lie,
The same Ezekiel saw with keen-prophetic Eye.

IV.

Unlike, O much unlike, the strawy Shed,
Where Mary , Queen of Heaven, in humbless Lay,
Where erst the Infant-God repos'd his Head,
And deign'd to dwell in Tenement of Clay;
The clouded Tabernacle of the Day!
The Shepperd's Dream was mystical, I ween,
Isaiab on his Bosom pour'd a Ray,
And painted to his Eyes the gentle Scene,
Where Lions dandled Lambs; O Peace, thy golden Reign!

V.

High-smiling in Delight a Lady sate.
Young as the dawning Morn, on Iv'ry Throne;
Upon her Looks the Virgin-Virtues wait,
The Virgin-Virtues wait on Her alone!
Her Sapphire-Eyes with gentle Spirit shone:
Fair Bountyhead was open'd in her Face,
Of Honour and of Love the Paragon!
A sweet Regard and most auspicious Grace
Bespoke her Lineage high: She was of David 's Race.