VI.

Upon her Lap a lovely Infant lay,
And ken'd the Mother by her smiling Grace.
His Looks were radiant as the Bloom of Day,
And Angel-Sweetness purpled in his Face.
Oh! how the Mother did the Babe embrace
With tender Blandishment and fondling Care!
She gaz'd, and gaz'd, ne cou'd enough caress
His Cheeks, as Roses red, as Lillies fair,
The holy Day-Spring hight, Heav'ns everlasting Heir!

VII.

Near Him a goodly Pers'nage mildly shone,
With Looks of Love, and shedding Peace and Joy:
Her Looks were Love, soft-streaming from the Throne
Of Grace, and sweetly melted on the Boy:
Her Tongue drop'd Honey, which wou'd never cloy.
Mercy yclep'd. All Nature on her hung,
To drink her Manna and her Smiles enjoy;
Young laughing Angels " Mercy, Mercy , " sung;
Heav'n echo'd " Mercy " back, the Spheres with " Mercy "

VIII.

Thus if the Clouds, enroll'd with deadly Food,
Forget to thunder in the aethereal Tow'rs,
But silently dissolve in kindly Mood,
In softering Dews, and Balm, and Honey-Show'rs;
Laugh all the Fields for Joy, and all the Bow'rs.
The Shrubs and Herbs fresh Odours round them fling,
Pop up their smiling Heads the little Flow'rs,
Warble the Birds, exulting on the Wing,
And all the wild-wood Notes the genial Blessings sing.

IX.

High o'er his Head was held a starry Crown,
Emblem of Royalty and princely Might:
His Priesthood was by golden Mitre shewn;
An Eagle Young, with E'yn most piercing-bright,
To prove the Prophet drank the distant Light.
But strangest was to see a bloody Hand
Uprear a Cross, the Cross with Blood bedight:
Ten thousand Angels, flutt'ring in a Band,
Admir'd the mystic Sign but cou'd not understand.

X.

Now dulcet Symphonies, and Voices meet,
Mellifluous stole upon the Shepherd's Ear,
Which swell'd so high and dy'd away so sweet,
As might have charm'd a Seraph from his Sphere.
Happy the Swain that mote such Music hear!
Estsoons a joyous Fellowship was seen
Of Ladies gent, and Beauties without peer,
As they a Train of Goddesses had been,
In manner of a Mask, radiant along the Green.