ODE VIII.

θαύματος ὑπερφυοῦς ἡ δροσοβόλος.

The dewy freshness that the furnace flings
Works out a wond'rous type of future things:
Nor did the flame the Holy Three consume,
Nor did the Godhead's fire thy frame entomb,
Thou, on Whose bosom hung the WORD:
Wherefore we cry with heart's endeavour,
"Let all Creation bless the LORD,
And magnify His Name for ever!"

Babel's proud daughter once led David's race From Sion, to their exile's woful place : Babel now bids her wise men, gifts in hand, Before King David's Royal Daughter stand,

The Mother of the Incarnate Word :

Wherefore we cry with heart's endeavour, "Let all Creation bless the LORD, And magnify His Name for ever!"

From music grief held back the exile's hand :
"How sing the LORD's song in an alien land?"
But Babel's exile here is done away,
And Bethlehem's harmony this glorious day
By Thee, Incarnate GOD, restored :
Wherefore we cry with heart's endeavour,
"Let all Creation bless the LORD,
And magnify His Name for ever!"

Of old victorious Babel bore away,
The spoils of Royal Sion and her prey :
But Babel's treasure now, and Babel's kings,
CHRIST, by the guiding star, to Sion brings.

There have they knelt, and there ador'd: Wherefore we cry with heart's endeavour, "Let all Creation bless the LORD,

And magnify His Name for ever!"

ODE IX.

μυστήριον ξένον.

O wond'rous mystery, full of passing grace!

The grot becometh Heav'n: the Virgin's breast The bright Cherubic Throne: the stall that place, Where He, Who fills all space, vouchsafes to

rest:

CHRIST OUR GOD, to Whom we raise
Hymns of thankfulness and praise !

The course propitious of the unknown Star
The Wise-men follow'd on its heavenly way,-

Until it led them, beckoning from afar,

To where the CHRIST, the King of all things, lay:

Him in Bethlehem they find,

Born the SAVIOUR of mankind.

"Where is the Child," they ask, "the new-born

King,

Whose herald-light is glittering in the sky,— To Whom our offerings and our praise we bring?"

And Herod's heart is troubled utterly.

Armed for war with GOD, in vain

Would he see that Infant slain.