TELL'S BIRTH-PLACE. IMITATED FROM STOLBERG. I. MARK this holy chapel well! The Birth-place, this, of WILLIAM TELL. II. Here first, an infant to her breast, Him his loving mother prest; And kissed the babe, and blessed the day, III. "Vouchsafe him health, O God! and give The Child thy servant still to live !" But God had destined to do more Through him, than through an armed power. IV. God gave him reverence of laws, The eye of the Hawk, and the fire therein ! V. To Nature and to Holy writ Alone did God the boy commit: Where flashed and roared the torrent, oft VI. The straining oar and chamois chase On wave and wind the boy would toss, Was great, nor knew how great he was! VII. He knew not that his chosen hand, Of Slavery A CHRISTMAS CAROL. I. THE Shepherds went their hasty way, And now they checked their eager tread, II. They told her how a glorious light, Streaming from a heavenly throng, Around them shone, suspending night! While sweeter than a Mother's song, Blest Angels heralded the Saviour's birth, Glory to God on high! and Peace on Earth. III. She listened to the tale divine, The milk rushed faster to her breast: Joy rose within her, like a summer's morn; IV. Thou Mother of the Prince of Peace, O why should this thy soul elate? Sweet Music's loudest note, the Poet's story,Did'st thou ne'er love to hear of Fame and Glory? V. And is not War a youthful King, A stately Hero clad in Mail? Beneath his footsteps laurels spring; Him Earth's majestic monarchs hail Their Friend, their Playmate! and his bold bright eye Compels the maiden's love-confessing sigh. VI. "Tell this in some more courtly scene, "I am a woman poor and mean, "And therefore is my Soul elate. "War is a ruffian, all with guilt defiled, "That from the aged Father tears his Child! VII. "A murderous fiend, by fiends adored, "Plunders God's world of beauty; rends away VIII. "Then wisely is my soul elate, "That Strife should vanish, Battle cease: "I'm poor and of a low estate, "The Mother of the Prince of Peace. "Joy rises in me, like a summer's morn: "Peace, Peace on Earth! the Prince of Peace is born." |