LITANY TO THE HOLY SPIRIT. IN the hour of my distress, When the house doth sigh and weep, And the world is drowned in sleep, Yet mine eyes the watch do keep, Sweet Spirit, comfort me! When the artless doctor sees Sweet Spirit, comfort me! When the passing bell doth toll, Sweet Spirit, comfort me! When the tapers now burn blue, When the priest his last hath prayed, When, God knows, I'm tost about Sweet Spirit, comfort me! When the Tempter me pursu'th With the sins of all my youth, And half damns me with untruth, Sweet Spirit, comfort me! When the flames and hellish cries Fright mine ears, and fright mine eyes, And all terrors me surprise, Sweet Spirit, comfort me! THE ANGELS. RUN, shepherds, run where Bethlehem blest appears. We bring the best of news; be not dismayed: A Saviour there is born more old than years, Amidst heaven's rolling height this earth who stayed. In a poor cottage inned, a virgin maid A weakling did him bear, who all upbears; There is he poorly swaddled, in manger laid, To whom too narrow swaddlings are our spheres: Run, shepherds, run, and solemnize his birth. This is that night-no, day, grown great with bliss, In which the power of Satan broken is: In heaven be glory, peace unto the earth! Thus singing, through the air the angels swarm, And cope of stars re-echoed the same. DRUMMOND. THE STAR SONG. TELL us, thou clear and heavenly tongue, Where is the Babe but lately sprung? Lies he the lily-banks among? Or say, if this new Birth of ours Sleeps, laid within some ark of flowers, Spangled with dew-light; thou canst clear All doubts, and manifest the where. Declare to us, bright star, if we shall seek Him in the morning's blushing cheek, Or search the beds of spices through, To find him out? Star. - No, this ye need not do; |