_Tityrus._ Gloomy night embraced the place Where the noble Infant lay, The Babe looked up and showed His face; In spite of darkness it was day. It was Thy day, Sweet, and did rise Not from the East but from Thine eyes. _Chorus._—It was Thy day, Sweet, &c. _Thyrsis._ Winter chid aloud and sent The angry North to wage his wars, The North forgot his fierce intent, And left perfumes instead of scars; By those sweet eyes’ persuasive powers, Where he meant frost he scattered flowers. _Chorus._—By those sweet eyes, &c. _Both._ We saw Thee in Thy balmy nest, Bright dawn of our eternal day! We saw Thine eyes break from their East And chase the trembling shades away: We saw Thee and we blest the sight, We saw Thee by Thine own sweet light. _Tityrus._ Poor world (said I), what wilt thou do To entertain this starry Stranger? Is this the best thou canst bestow, A cold and not too cleanly manger? Contend, ye powers of heaven and earth, To fit a bed for this huge birth. _Chorus._—Contend, ye powers, &c. _Thyrsis._ Proud world (said I), cease your contest, And let the mighty Babe alone, The Phoenix builds the Phoenix’ nest, Love’s architecture is all one. The Babe whose birth embraves this morn, Made His own bed ere He was born. _Chorus._—The Babe whose birth, &c. _Tityrus._ I saw the curl’d drops, soft and slow, Come hovering o’er the place’s head, Offering their whitest sheets of snow To furnish the fair Infant’s bed: Forbear (said I), be not too bold; Your fleece is white, but ’tis too cold. _Chorus._—Forbear (said I), &c. _Thyrsis._ I saw the obsequious seraphins Their rosy fleece of fire bestow; For well they now can spare their wings, Since heaven itself lies here below: Well done (said I), but are you sure Your down so warm will pass for pure? _Chorus._—Well done (said I), &c. _Tityrus._ No, no, your King’s not yet to seek Where to repose His royal head. See, see, how soon His new-bloom’d cheek Twixt’s mother’s breasts is gone to bed: Sweet choice (said I), no way but so, Not to lie cold, yet sleep in snow. _Chorus._—Sweet choice (said I), &c. _Both._ We saw Thee in Thy balmy nest, Bright dawn of our eternal day! We saw Thine eyes break from their East And chase the trembling shades away; We saw Thee and we blest the sight, We saw Thee by Thine own sweet light. _Chorus._—We saw Thee, &c. _Full Chorus._ Welcome all wonder in one sight, Eternity shut in a span, Summer in winter, day in night, Heaven in earth and God in man! Great little One! whose all-embracing birth Lifts earth to heaven, stoops heaven to earth.