New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-12-25
CHRISTMAS.
POEMS FOR THE sHAsON,

AVk4uS TUX THE ShASONs
We have received large number Of Original
foems--or what are intended as Poems
adapted to the great anniversary celebrated
this day, but after careful scrutiny Of them,
we have concluded that none of them quite
come up to the Ode which we publish below.
possible that some Of the writer's may diff.
ferwlth US In judgment, butwe think the people
generally will decide in our favor
ODE
ON THE MORNING OF CHRIsTS NATIVITY.
BY JOHN MILTON.
his is the month, and this the happy morn,
wherein the Son of Heavens eternal King
Of welded Maid, and Virgin Mother born,
Our great redemption from above did bring;
For 30 the holy sages once did sing,
That he our deadly forfeit should release.
And with his Father work us perpetual peace
That glorious form, that light unsufferable,
And that far-beaming blaze of majesty,
Wherewith he wont at Heavens high council
To SIT the midst of Trinal Unity, TABLE
lie laid aside and here with us to be,
F0rsOOk the courts of everlasting day,
And chose with us q darksome house of mortal
clay.
Say heavenly Muse, shall not thy sacred vein
Afford present to the Infant GOdl
Hast thou no verse no hymn, OF solemn strain,
To welcome him to this his new abode,
Now while the Heaven by the sum team untrod
Hath took no print of the approaching light,
And all the spangled host keep watch in squad
rons bright?
See how far upon the eastern road
Ihe startled wizards haste with Od0rs sweet
. run prevent them with thy humble ode,
And lay it lowly at his blessed feet;
Have thou the honor first, thy Lord to greet,
And join thy voice unto the Angel choir,
From out bis secret altar touched with hallOwed
fire.
1t was the winter wild,
While the Heaven-bOrn child
AL meaDly wrapt in the rude manger lies;
Nature in awe to him
Had dOflt her gaudy trim,
With her great Master so to sympathize:
1t was no season then for her
TO wantOn with the sun, her lusty paramour.
Only with speeches fair
She woOs the gentle air
To hide her guilty front with innocent snow,
And on her naked shame,
POllute with sinful blame,
The sanity veil of maiden white to throw,
COMPOUNDED, that her Makers eyes
Should look so near upon her foul defornitieJ.
But he her fears to cease,
Sent down the meek-eyed Peace; Ting
She crowned with olive green, came softly slid
Doun fhrouUh the turning sDlere
His ready harbinger,
With turtle wing the amOrOus clouds dividing
And waving wide her myrtle wand,
She strikes an universal peace through sea and
No war, or battels sound
Was heard the world around:
The idle spear and shield were high up hung,
The hooked chariot stood,
Unstained with hostile blood,
The trumpet spake not to the armed thrOng,
And kings sat still with awful eye,
AS if they surely knew their sovran Lord wasby
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,
Whispering new joys to the mild ocean,
Who now hath quite forgot to rave,
While birds of calm sit breeding on the charmed
wave.
The stars with deep amaze
Stand fx'd in steadiast gaze
Bending one way their precious influence,
And will not take their flight,
For all the morning light,
Or Lucifer that often warned them thence
But in their glimmering orbs did glow,
Until their Lord himself bespake, and bid them
And through the shady gloom
Had given day her room,
The sun himself withheld his wonted speed,
And hid his head for shame,
As his inferior fame =,
The new enlightened world no more should
49, oreater sun appear [need
Than his bright throne, or burning axeltree couid
bear.
The shepherds on the lawn,
Or e'er the point OF dawn,
Sat simply chatting in rustic row
Full little thought they then'
That the mighty Pan
Was kindly come to live with them below;
II &hAses