512 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1804. 



Or e'er to Greece the builders's skill was known, 



Or the light chisel brush'd the Parian stone ; 



Yet here fair science nurs'd her infant fire, 



JFann'd by the artist aid of friendly Tyre, 



Then tow'r'd the pajace, then in awful state, 



The temple rear'd its everlasting gate. 



No workman steel, no ponderous axes rung .* 



Like sonic tall palm the noiseless fabric sprung 



Majestic silence ! — then the harp awoke, 



The cymbal clang'd, the dcep-voic'd trumpet spoke ; 



And Salem spread her suppliant arms abroad, 



Vlcw'd the descending llamc, and bless'd the present God. 



Nor shrunk she then, when raging deep and loud, 

 Beat o'er her soul the billows of the proud. 

 E'en they, who dragg'd to Shinar's fiery sand, 

 Till'd with rclurtant strength the stranger's land ; 

 Who sadly told the slow revolving years, 

 And stccp'd the captive's bitter bread with tears ; — 

 Yet, oft their hearts with kindling hopes would burn, 

 Tlieir dcstin'd triumphs, and their glad return : 

 And their sad lyres, which, silent and unstrung, 

 In mournful ranks on Babel's willows hung ; 

 Would oft awake to chaunt their future fame, 

 And from the skies their lingering Saviour claim ; 

 His promis'd aid could every fear controul ; 

 This nerv'd the warrior's arm ; this steel'd the martyr's soul! 



Nor vain their hope:— bright beaming through the sky, 

 Burst in full blaze the Day-sj)ring from on high j 

 Earth's utmost isles exulted at the sight. 

 And crowding nations drank the orient light. 

 Lo, star-led chiefs jNssyrian odours bring. 

 And bending Magi seek their infant king ! 

 Mark'd ye where, hovering o'er his radiant head, 

 The dove's white wings celestial glory shed ? 

 Daughter of Sion ! virgin queen ! rejoice! 

 Clap the glad hand, and lift the exulting voice ! 

 He comes,^-but not in regal splendour drcsf, 

 The haughty diadem, the Tyrian vest ; 

 Not arm'd in flame, all glorious from afar. 

 Of hosts the chieftain, and the lord of war : 

 Messiah comes : — let furious discord cease ; 

 Be peace on earth before the Prince of peace ! • 



Disease and anguish feel his blest controul, 

 And howling fiends release the tortur'd soul ; 

 'J'hc beams of gladness hell's dark caves illume, 

 And mercy broods above the distant gloom. 



3 Thou 



