The trumpet spake not to the armed throng, And kings sat still with awful eye, As if they surely knew their sov'reign Lord was by. V. But peaceful was the night, His reign of peace upon the earth began: The winds with wonder whist Smoothly the waters kist, Whisp'ring new joys to the mild ocean, Who now hath quite forgot to rave, While birds of calm sit brooding on the charmed wave. VI. The stars with deep amaze Beginne to roare, Each tree, your songes beinge mist, 65 6 6 64 whist] Nash's Dido, 1594. The ayre is cleere, and southerne windes are whist.' Todd. Golding's Ovid, p. 63. The waters whist.' 'Winds whist.' Aylet's Divine Poems, p. 65. If the winde be whist.' Marlowe's Hero and Leander, p. 13. Far from the toure, when all is whist and still.' And see S. Hardinge's Com. Verses to W. Browne, from MS. in Beloe's Anecd. vi. 68. 6 The winds that erst were whist Each sproutinge pauncie in the meade For griefe begins to hang a head. The weepinge brooke in grovelling tones glide umblinge doun, Dimples its own sleeke cheeks, and thanks you with a frowne.' And Quarles's Divine Poems, p. 23. The winds were whist.' VOL. 11. 40 70 Bending one way their precious influence, And will not take their flight, For all the morning light, Or Lucifer that often warn'd them thence; But in their glimmering orbs did glow, Until their Lord himself bespake, and bid them go. VII. And though the shady gloom Had given day her room, The sun himself withheld his wonted speed, And hid his head for shame, As his inferior flame The new enlighten'd world no more should need; VIII. He saw a greater sun appear Than his bright throne, or burning axletree could bear. The shepherds on the lawn, Sat simply chatting in a rustic row; 77 This stanza copied from Spenser's April. 'I sawe Phœbus thrust out his golden hede But when he saw how broade her beames did sprede, 75 It did him amaze. Hee blush't to see another sunne belowe, Ne durst againe his fierie face outshowe.' &c. Warton. 80 85 Full little thought they then Was kindly come to live with them below; Perhaps their loves, or else their sheep, Was all that did their silly thoughts so busy keep. IX. When such music sweet Their hearts and ears did greet, As never was by mortal finger strook, Divinely-warbled voice X. Nature that heard such sound, 90 Answering the stringed noise, As all their souls in blissful rapture took; The air such pleasure loath to lose, With thousand echoes still prolongs each heavenly close. Of Cynthia's seat, the airy region thrilling, Now was almost won To think her part was done, And that her reign had here its last fulfilling; She knew such harmony alone Could hold all heav'n and earth in happier union. 95 100 105 XI. At last surrounds their sight A globe of circular light, 89 Pan] Spenser's July. The flockes of mightie Pan. Warton. 110 That with long beams the shamefac'd night ar ray'd; The helmed Cherubim, And sworded Seraphim, Are seen in glittering ranks with wings display'd, Harping in loud and solemn quire, With unexpressive notes to Heaven's new-born Heir. XII. Such music (as 'tis said) But when of old the sons of morning sung, While the Creator great His constellations set, XIII. Ring out, ye crystal spheres, Once bless our human ears, And the well-balanc'd world on hinges hung; And cast the dark foundations deep, And bid the welt'ring waves their oozy channel keep. If ye have pow'r to touch our senses so: And let your silver chime Move in melodious time, 128 silver] Machin's Dumbe Knight, 1608. 115 'It was as silver as the chime of spheres.' 120 116 unexpressive] This word was, perhaps, coined by Shakespeare. As you like it, act iii. sc. 2, 'The fair, the chaste, and unexpressive she!' Warton. 125 crystal] Heaven's hard crystal.' Marlowe's Hero and Leander, p. 90. Todd. 125 And let the base of heav'n's deep organ blow; And with your ninefold harmony Make up full consort to th' angelic symphony. XIV. For if such holy song Inwrap our fancy long, Time will run back, and fetch the age of gold; And speckled Vanity Will sicken soon and die, XV. Yea Truth and Justice then Will down return to men, Orb'd in a rainbow; and, like glories wearing, And leprous Sin will melt from earthly mould; And Hell itself will pass away, And leave her dolorous mansions to the peering day. 140 131 regna recludat Pallida, dis invisa; superque immane barathrum 143 Orb'd] In ed. 1645. Mercy will sit between, Thron'd in celestial sheen, 145 With radiant feet the tissued clouds down steer ing: 136 135 gold] 'See listening Time run back to fetch the age of gold.' Benlowes's Theophila, st. xcv. p. 248. 140 leave] Virg. Æn. viii. 245. 'Th' enamell'd arras of the rainbow wearing; |