Of wedded Maid, and Virgin Mother born, That he our deadly forfeit should release, II. That glorious form, that light unsufferable, Wherewith he wont at heav'n's high council-table 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. III. Say heav'nly Muse, shall not thy sacred vein Now while the heav'n by the sun's team untrod, 1. This is the month, &c.] The sixth Elegy to his friend Deodate appears to have been sent about the close of the month December. Deodate had enquired how he was spending his time. Milton answers, v. 81. Paciferum canimus cœlesti semine regem, Faustaque sacratis sæcula pacta li bris; Vagitumque Dei, et stabulantem paupere tecto Qui suprema suo curi patre regna Stelli parumque solum, modulantes- Et subito elisos ad sua fana Deos. See st. xix.-xxvi. 10 5 15 The oracles are dumb, &c. &c. The rest of the Ode chiefly consists of a string of affected conceits, which only his early youth, and the fashion of the times, can excuse. But there is a dignity and simplicity in st. iv. No war, or battle's sound, &c." worthy the maturest years, and the best times. Nor is the poetry of st. v. "But peaceful was the "night, &c." an expression or two excepted, unworthy of Milton. T. Warton. 5. Sages] The prophets of the Old Testament. T. Warton. 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 odours sweet: Have thou the honour first, thy Lord to greet, While the heav'n-born child All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies; 25 this hath touched thy lips, and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. In his Reason of Church Government our author has another beautiful allusion to the same passage, which we quoted in a note upon the Paradise Lost, i. 17.-" that eter"nal Spirit who can enrich with "all utterance and knowledge, "and sends out his Seraphim, "with the hallowed fire of his "altar, to touch and purify the lips of whom he pleases." As Mr. Pope's Messiah is formed upon passages taken from the prophet Isaiah, he very properly invocates the same divine Spirit. -0 thou my voice inspire, Who touch'd Isaiah's hallow'd lips with fire. Nature in awe to him Had dofft her gaudy trim, With her great Master so to sympathize: It was no season then for her To wanton with the sun her lusty paramour. Only with speeches fair She woos the gentle air II. To hide her guilty front with innocent snow, And on her naked shame, Pollute with sinful blame, The saintly veil of maiden white to throw, Confounded, that her Maker's eyes Should look so near upon her foul deformities. But he her fears to cease, III. Sent down the meek-ey'd Peace; She crown'd with olive green, came softly sliding Down through the turning sphere His ready harbinger, With turtle wing the amorous clouds dividing, And waving wide her myrtle wand, She strikes an universal peace through sea and land. 35 40 45 50 52. Perhaps Dr. Newton's objection is too nice. Roman phraseology however, by which he would excuse the expression strike a peace, is here quite out of the question. It is not a league or agreement of peace between two parties that is intended. A quick and universal diffusion is the idea. It was done as with a stroke. T. Warton. No war, or battle's sound IV. Was heard the world around: The idle spear and shield were high up hung, The hooked chariot stood, Unstain'd with hostile blood, The trumpet spake not to the armed throng, And kings sat still with awful eye, 55 As if they surely knew their sovereign Lord was by. 60 V. But peaceful was the night, Wherein the Prince of light His reign of peace upon the earth began: The winds with wonder whist Smoothly the waters kist, Whisp'ring new joys to the mild ocean, Who now hath quite forgot to rave, 65 While birds of calm sit brooding on the charmed wave. VI. The stars with deep amaze Stand fix'd in stedfast gaze, Bending one way their precious influence, And will not take their flight, For all the morning light, Or Lucifer that often warn'd them thence; But in their glimmering orbs did glow, Until their Lord himself bespake, and bid them go. VII. And though the shady gloom Had given day her room, The sun himself withheld his wonted speed, And hid his head for shame, As his inferior flame The new enlighten'd world no more should need ; He saw a greater sun appear 70 75 80 Than his bright throne, or burning axletree could bear. |