THE NEW BIRTH. COLERIDGE. BORN unto God in Christ-in Christ, my all! What that earth boasts were not lost cheaply, rather Than forfeit that blest name by which we call The holy One, the Almighty God, our Father? The heir of Heaven, henceforth I dread not death: THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE VIRGIN MARY. KEBLE. O THOU who deign'st to sympathise Forgive the too presumptuous thought, Yet sure 'twas not presumption, Lord! That made the lesson known: When wandering here a little span, That wedded love we prize so dear, It lit in Thee no fire. On no sweet sister's faithful breast Would'st Thou thine aching forehead rest, On no kind brother lean : But who, O perfect filial heart! E'er did like Thee a true son's part, Endearing, firm, serene? Thou wept'st-meek maiden, mother mild! And yet, what mourning matron here Would deem thy sorrows bought too dear By all on this side Heaven? A son that never did amiss, That never shamed his mother's kiss, Nor cross'd her fondest prayer: E'en from the tree he deign'd to bow For her his agonisèd brow Her, his sole earthly care. Bless'd is the womb that bare Him-bless'd The bosom where his lips were press'd! But rather bless'd are they Who hear his word and keep it well The living homes where Christ shall dwell, And never pass away. THE MARTYR'S CHILD. REV. T. DALE. ONCE more I clasp thee to my breast, Ere yet I enter into rest, And join the ransom'd hosts above: And earthward though my thoughts must rove, From saints and seraphs bending there, Who shall a parting sigh reprove O'er one as pure and scarce less fair? My bud of beauty! thou must bloom Yet who shall form thine infant sighs And who shall watch with ceaseless care Lest thy young steps unheeding strayWhere Pleasure plants the secret snare, And Hope's seductive smiles betray? Oh! could I bear thee hence, while yet The strife of passion is unknown— Ere guilt her fatal seal has set, Or earth has mark'd thee for its own; To gaze upon the eternal throne, But now I leave thee!-not alone-- I leave thee to thy mother's foes— |