Select Minor Poems of John Milton; D., with Introduction, Notes, Etc (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1901. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... MILTON'S MINOR POEMS. ON THE MORNING OF CHRIST'S NATIVITY. Composed 1629.J I. This is the month, and this the happy morn, Wherein the Son of Heaven's eternal King, Of wedded maid and virgin mother born, Our great redemption from above did bring; For so the holy sages once did sing, 8 That he our deadly forfeit should release, And with his Father work us a perpetual peace. u. That glorious form, that light unsufferable, And that far-beaming blaze of majesty, Wherewith he wont at Heaven's high council-table 10 To sit the midst of Trinal Unity, He laid aside, and, here with us to be, Forsook the courts of everlasting day, And chose with us a darksome house of mortal clay. in. Say, Heavenly Muse, shall not thy sacred vein 15 Afford a present to the Infant God? Hast thou no verse, no hymn, or solemn strain, 1 To welcome him to this his new abode, Now while the heaven, by the Sun's team untrod, Hath took no print of the approaching light, 20 And all the spangled host keep watch in squadrons bright? IV. See how from far upon the eastern road The star-led wizards haste with odors sweet Oh run; prevent them with thy humble ode, And lay it lowly at his blessed feet; 25 Have thou the honor first thy Lord to greet, And join thy voice unto the Angel Quire, From out his secret altar touched with hallowed fire. The Hymn. It was the winter wild, While the heaven-born child 30 All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies; Nature, in awe to him, Had doffed her gaudy trim, With her great Master so to sympathize: It was no season then for her 35 To wanton with the Sun, her lusty paramour. ii. Only with speeches fair She woos the gentle air To hide her guilty front with innocent snow, And on her naked shame, 40 Pollute with sinful blame, The saintly veil of maiden white to throw; Con...