Page:Golden Treasury of English Songs and Lyrics.djvu/60

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As never was by mortal finger strook— Divinely-warbled voiceAnswering the stringéd noise, As all their souls in blissful rapture took: The air, such pleasure loth to lose,With thousand echoes still prolongs each heavenly close.
Nature that heard such soundBeneath the hollow roundOf Cynthia’s seat the aery region thrilling, Now was almost wonTo think her part was done,And that her reign had here its last fulfilling;She knew such harmony alone Could hold all heaven and earth in happier union.
At last surrounds their sightA globe of circular lightThat with long beams the shamefaced night array’d; The helméd Cherubim And sworded Seraphim Are seen in glittering ranks with wings display’d, Harping in loud and solemn quireWith unexpressive notes, to Heaven’s new-born Heir.
Such music (as ’tis said)Before was never made But when of old the sons of morning sung, While the Creator greatHis constellations set And the well-balanced world on hinges hung;And cast the dark foundations deep. And bid the weltering waves their oozy channel keep.
Ring out, ye crystal spheres!Once bless our human ears,If ye have power to touch our senses so;And let your silver chimeMove in melodious time;And let the base of heaven’s deep organ blow;And with your ninefold harmonyMake up full concert to the angelic symphony.
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