WHEN Cyrus, honoured servant of the Lord,
The Babylonish captives had restored,
A Temple, to the God of Israel reared,
Majestic rose ;-no enemy they feared.
Hark! the loud trumpet sounds a note of glee,
Responsive to the shout of Jubilee !
But see, amid the liberated throng
Of eager workmen, whose triumphant song
Bursts forth harmonious, see with sorrow bent,
And venerable age, his garments rent,
With ashes sprinkled on his silvered head,
His eyes with weeping dim, his hands outspread,
Who there appears? who sorrows to behold
This festive, joyous sight? A captive old ;-
He-ere the fury of a jealous God
Had smote his nation; ere the Assyrian rod,
His instrument, had from the Holy Land
Driven a stiff-necked race, once as the sand
In multitude, or stars which deck the sky;
Their God their glory then, and the Most High,
Their guardian and protector-he alone
Survived, of all the exiles who had known
The glorious splendour of that temple proud,
By Solomon erected. Meekly bowed
The chastened penitent, and in the dust
Confessed his sins: "Thy wrath, O God, was just,
And great thy mercy. Pity and forgive,
That thus I grieve. With me, must ever live
Remembrance of that Temple, lined with gold
And precious stones, which (as a spacious fold
The fleecy charge receives) thy chosen race
Once joyful entered-thy loved dwelling-place.
Clothed in bright armour, I aspired to save
That beauteous pile, or fill a glorious grave;
But thy dread frown upon that fatal day,
Quell'd every heart,-took all our strength away:
Wounded, I wept to see thy Temple burn,
Captive, I mourned, nor joy at my return."
The great "I AM," who only heareth prayer,
And makes the humble his peculiar care,
This word of comfort poured into his heart:
"Know, thou of many sorrows, and depart
In peace; know henceforth, that my eye alone
Pierces the dark futurity unknown;
To me Eternity is present.-Hear,
And understand-full soon shall HE appear,
And tread these courts, whose presence shall atone
For gold of Ophir. Though no precious stone
Adorns this Temple, truth and love divine
Shall then adorn it, and more bright shall shine.
He the fall'n throne of David shall restore;
To Him all knees shall bow-Him every tongue
'Tis night! th' expectant Sages from afar,
View in the East a brightly rising star;
With joy they view, and with delight behold
The welcome visitor; for Seers of old,
Skill'd in astronomy, this glorious sign
Had named, precursor of His birth divine,
Destined the earth to rule! Of David's line.
Than David, holier, mightier, more renowned,
Whose fame should spread, whose kingdom know no bound;
Whose reign no end;-a princely, heavenly
Of Israel rightful monarch; and so styled
In ancient books, whose origin was thought
Itself divine-written by those who wrought
High miracles, in proof of what they taught;
By those whose prophecies had never failed
Their truth to vindicate; therefore they hailed
With joy this rising star, and watched its flight
T'wards Palestine, with wonder and delight.
Its western course they follow; nor in vain ;-
The star swift gliding o'er the Syrian plain,
Above blest Salem-seat of holy rest-
Stayed, as a lark, high fluttering o'er its nest.
Well pleased they enter, and of all inquire,
Where they the Babe might find. Him, the desire
Of every nation, born King of the Jews,
The Great Deliverer? Herod at the news
Is troubled and alarmed, and with intent,
The high designs of Heaven to circumvent,
Assembles the Chief Priests; anxious to know
Where should be born the Christ (with outward show Of zeal and love). "In Bethl'em," they reply, “Of Judah;" such the glorious prophecy ! "Thou Bethlehem Ephratah, disesteemed,
ught midst Judah's thousand cities deemed,
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