Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-12-27
a CHRISTMAS ODE
FOR ruE CARRIERS OF 1HE
H.CaaiOND ENQUIRER.

u ritteH on paTticH'cf request,
ny YorSC LADv. or 1Ais ciTY
Tho; DAY, which ..as.S e weiconl'd with delisht.
AGAIN returus, by I,inc's unceasng fight
When NE, whose coming sainted bsrds OF old
w rr'nion> strains. of piUus joy, ioretold
i"wiy aud mees, on -iisrcp'S c.iand came
Nenssaire 10 lulu. and gueseh with blood its flame
Y" sioi the pelt byai.ry Justice huri'd
Aha tom dtst,u ction save siukiiig world.
H.
HaIk now when NIGHT in solemn stiffness reisns,
siu no rude sound disturhs the silent plains
Nhcn all appear IN still fcposn to sleep
say. the lone Shepherds, who their vi.ils keep
Nbet strain, divine, iu soft harmonious notes
lhro tie still air with ieavealy accents io.,,si
-ingcty descend, with songs Of sacred mrth
10 hail The Morn that gives SAVIOUR birth
III.
Ihro' mornings nisis, asrAR refrlgcut CLEANS
nnd guides the EASTERN Sasos hv It's beams:
iii where the Hpiy Infant smiling Law
Il siood--and bright diilus'd iis sacred raw
INSPIRED with love, aud slrd With holy zeal
heioie ATS face the astonishd yases hneel
lh9ir choicest gi;ts they spread before his feet,
ana As their hiag, the I" babe Of Betii'cul'' greet
The VAR which then its guiding lustre she'd.
Ana on their way the woidriug Sages led
shonc the bright emblem OF that SrlR whose li.ht
Stail chase the niisis OF Superstition's night
hen o'er chose chimes where darkest isil'rance
rcigus.
And streaming blood her cruel altar stains
TIE" Star of Jacob" shalt its beams di,nIav
And point tn ileay'n the jot ul pilgrims vsv
Wien pHre Religion shall her reign extend.
Ana at her shrine adufiug nations bend.
No cruel law, OF harb'rous right shall claim
tue victims life, to feed the raging tame
NO iras.ic widows shall the pile ascend
MA with her crIcs the piiyIg DO som rend
"hiie nIlght the Talnes with scorchina fury rise,
And roll their smoking columns TO the skies.
vi.
Where ,l now with savage yells of loud acclaim
liey nil the air and shout some idols name:
Nbefe Jugsefiantf with cruel sway presides
sud ia his pond'rous Car, triumphant rides
WINE cfushd beneath lis wheels OF grating sound,
some victims blood streams sucking on The rround
me pious tongue shall glad ilo annas raise
Ana tuhe with rapture sacred Hymns oil praise
Vii.
Religion source OF ne gsi ending low
Whose sacred power can every vice DESTROY
whose gentle pfecepts with persuasive art
Expand the soul aud huUianize the heart
No victims blood Thy spotless altar dives
nor diving groans within ty temples rise
but, smiling Peace upon Thy Courts attends,
Ana Ger thy shrine iorsiviug Mere, sends.
VII.
There, too Benevolence by PITY stands
ana deals her iavcurs with ulisparine hands,
she only waits ccclsion TO bestOw
fiei liberal sf,s, and bid her bie.silIs IS How
Then IN this land, where with rcspleudenl light,
.:eiision's rays diinse their lnstre bright,
Hlunot henevolence exert her sway
WIZ not each heart her gcn'ioas laws obey
Aau skonid she reign within. the bouLteous SOUL
Aud sway the bosom by her soft coniToui,
Cannot the " farrisr, ;" en- this sacred day,
- "itei greeted by has grateful lay
wien tNrisiM.ts" coises tie circng yeaT to close,
and Rom bis tolls .pyicld Kim Itpcsc;
q tfinng busn, OF small reward 0btai
From those Ger whom her gen'sous dictates reign
X.
His constant laSorrs iErc' the changing year,
siay eaiIl, tom boHnty'S iib'ral Iun,ls share;
When inrIOns War, eHults with mlAdicning rage,
ana hostile bands, IN cambat fierce engsse;
ne great result OF NictOr's tight 10 teii,
Or maine the Heroes who coniending FELL
WIN eager haste his hurried task he plies
And oit i.om sluinber keeps his wak-iul eyes.
NI
las tiTcsonis round with weary steps he treads
When WIntfy snow the dazzling plata o'cT-spIeads
Before your view 10 place the historic page,
fIarstt with events ;hat mark the present age
or else around Instructions browsto bind
The wreath by gay Amusemenrs hand entwin'a
1oHr leisure hours he strives 10 entertain,
BY laughing jest OF Poets idle strain.