FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT.

The eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken.

Isaiah xxxii. 3.

Or the bright things in earth and air
How little can the heart embrace!
Soft shades and gleaming lights are there-
I know it well, but cannot trace.

Mine eye unworthy seems to read
One page of Nature's beauteous book;
It lies before me, fair outspread-
I only cast a wishful look.

I cannot paint to Memory's eye

The scene, the glance, I dearest loveUnchang'd themselves, in me they die, Or faint, or false, their shadows prove.

In vain, with dull and tuneless ear,
I linger by soft Music's cell,
And in my heart of hearts would hear

What to her own she deigns to tell.

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT.

'Tis misty all, both sight and sound-
I only know 'tis fair and sweet-
'Tis wandering on enchanted ground
With dizzy brow and tottering feet.

But patience! there may come a time
When these dull ears shall scan aright
Strains, that outring Earth's drowsy chime,
As Heaven outshines the taper's light.

These eyes, that dazzled now and weak,
At glancing motes in sunshine wink,
Shall see the King's full glory break,
Nor from the blissful vision shrink:

In fearless love and hope uncloy'd
For ever on that ocean bright
Empower'd to gaze; and undestroy'd,
Deeper and deeper plunge in light.

Though scarcely now their laggard glance
Reach to an arrow's flight, that day
They shall behold, and not in trance,
The region "very far away."

Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty; they shall behold the land that is very far off. Isaiah xxxiii. 17.

19

If Memory sometimes at our spell
Refuse to speak, or speak amiss,
We shall not need her where we dwell
Ever in sight of all our bliss.

Meanwhile, if over sea or sky
Some tender lights unnotic'd fleet,
Or on lov'd features dawn and die,
Unread, to us, their lesson sweet;

Yet are there saddening sights around, Which Heaven, in mercy, spares us too, And we see far in holy ground,

If duly purg'd our mental view.

The distant landscape draws not nigh
For all our gazing; but the soul,
That upward looks, may still descry
Nearer, each day, the brightening goal.

And thou, too curious ear, that fain
Wouldst thread the maze of Harmony,
Content thee with one simple strain,
The lowlier, sure, the worthier thee;

Till thou art duly train'd, and taught
The concord sweet of Love divine:
Then, with that inward Music fraught,
For ever rise, and sing, and shine.

CHRISTMAS DAY.

And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the
heavenly host praising God.

St. Luke ii. 13.

WHAT sudden blaze of song

Spreads o'er th' expanse of Heaven?

In waves of light it thrills along,

Th' angelic signal given

Glory to God!" from yonder central fire Flows out the echoing lay beyond the starry quire;

Like circles widening round

Upon a clear blue river,

Orb after orb, the wondrous sound

Is echoed on for ever:

Glory to God on high, on earth be

peace,

"And love towards men of love-salvation and release."

* I have ventured to adopt the reading of the Vulgate, as being generally known through Pergolesi's beautiful composition, "Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonæ voluntatis."

Yet stay, before thou dare

To join that festal throng;

Listen and mark what gentle air

First stirr'd the tide of song;

"Tis not, "the Saviour born in David's home,

"To Whom for power and health obedient worlds should

'Tis not, "the Christ the Lord:"—
With fix'd adoring look

The choir of Angels caught the word,

Nor yet their silence broke:

But when they heard the sign, where Christ should be, In sudden light they shone and heavenly harmony.

Wrapp'd in His swaddling bands,

And in His manger laid,

The Hope and Glory of all lands

Is come to the world's aid:

No peaceful home upon His cradle smil'd, Guests rudely went and came, where slept the royal Child.

But where Thou dwellest, Lord,

No other thought should be,

Once duly welcom'd and ador'd,

How should I part with Thee?

Bethlehem must lose Thee soon, but Thou wilt grace The single heart to be Thy sure abiding-place.