Soon as the evening shades prevail, Whilst all the stars that round her burn, Confirm the tidings as they roll, And spread the truth from pole to pole. What though in solemn silence all 434. WHEN ISAAC WATTS The Day of Judgement 1674-1748 WHEN the fierce North-wind with his airy forces And the red lightning with a storm of hail comes Rushing amain down; How the poor sailors stand amazed and tremble, Quick to devour them. Such shall the noise be, and the wild disorder Tears the strong pillars of the vault of Heaven, Flames all around them. Hark, the shrill outcries of the guilty wretches! Stare thro' their eyelids, while the living worm lies Thoughts, like old vultures, prey upon their heart-strings, Hopeless immortals! how they scream and shiver, Stop here, my fancy: (all away, ye horrid How He sits God-like! and the saints around Him Throned, yet adoring! O may I sit there when He comes triumphant, Shout the Redeemer. 435. A Cradle Hymn HUSH! my dear, lie still and slumber, Heavenly blessings without number Sleep, my babe; thy food and raiment, How much better thou'rt attended Soft and easy is thy cradle: Coarse and hard thy Saviour lay, Blessed babe! what glorious features— Was there nothing but a manger Did they thus affront their Lord? Soft, my child: I did not chide thee, Though my song might sound too hard; 'Tis thy mother sits beside thee, And her arms shall be thy guard. Yet to read the shameful story How the Jews abused their King, See the kinder shepherds round Him, Where they sought Him, there they found Him, See the lovely babe a-dressing; Soothed and hush'd the holy child. Lo, He slumbers in His manger, 'Twas to save thee, child, from dying, Bitter groans and endless crying, May'st thou live to know and fear Him, All bright as an angel new dropp'd from the sky, But when without art Your kind thoughts you impart, When your love runs in blushes through every vein; heart, Then I know you're a woman again. There's a passion and pride In our sex (she replied), And thus, might I gratify both, I would do: 437. MY ALLAN RAMSAY Peggy Y Peggy is a young thing, Fair as the day, and sweet as May, 1686-1758 |