The Poems of Felicia Hemans

Fair Gratitude! in strain sublime,

Swell high to heaven thy tuneful zeal;

And, hailing this auspicious time,

Kneel, Adoration! kneel!

For lo! the day, th’ immortal day,

When Mercy’s full, benignant ray

Chased every gathering cloud away,

And pour’d the noon of light!

Rapture! be kindling, mounting, glowing,

While from thine eye the tear is flowing,

Pure, warm, and bright!

’Twas on this day—oh, love divine!—

The Orient Star’s effulgence rose;

Then waked the Morn, whose eye benign

Shall never, never close!

Messiah! be thy name adored,

Eternal, high, redeeming Lord!

By grateful worlds be anthems pour’d—

Emanuel! Prince of Peace!

This day, from heaven’s empyreal dwelling,

Harp, lyre, and voice, in concert swelling,

Bade discord cease!

Wake the loud pæan, tune the voice,

Children of heaven and sons of earth!

Seraphs and men! exult, rejoice,

To bless the Saviour’s birth!

Devotion! light thy purest fire!

Transport! on cherub wing aspire!

Praise! wake to Him thy golden lyre,

Strike every thrilling chord!

While, at the Ark of Mercy kneeling,

We own thy grace, reviving, healing,

Redeemer! Lord!