Jeremy Taylor, Bishop of Down and Connor (1613-1667)

Hymn for Advent

LORD, come away;

Why dost Thou stay?

Thy road is ready; and Thy paths, made straight,
With longing expectation wait

The consecration of Thy beauteous feet.
Ride on triumphantly: Behold, we lay
Our lusts and proud wills in Thy way.

Hosanna! Welcome, to our hearts! Lord, here
Thou hast a temple too, and full as dear
As that of Sion; and as full of sin:

Nothing but thieves and robbers dwell therein:
Enter, and chase them forth, and cleanse the floor;
Crucify them, that they may never more
Profane that holy place

Where Thou hast chose to set Thy face.
And then, if our stiff tongues shall be

Mute in the praises of Thy Deity,

The stones out of the temple wall
Shall cry aloud, and call

Hosanna! and Thy glorious footsteps greet.

The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view display'd,

All meanly wrapt in swathing-bands,
And in a manger laid.'

Thus spake the Seraph; and forthwith
Appear'd a shining throng

Of Angels, praising God, and thus
Address'd their joyful song:-

All glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace;

Good-will henceforth from Heaven to men

Begin, and never cease!'

Joseph Addison (1672-1719)

T

Hymn

▼HE spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky,

And spangled heavens, a shining frame,

Their great Original proclaim.

Th' unwearied Sun from day to day
Does his Creator's power display:

Joseph Addison

From the mezzotint by John Simon after the painting by Sir Godfrey Kneller

And publishes to every land

The work of an Almighty hand.

Soon as the evening shades prevail,
The Moon takes up the wondrous tale;
And nightly to the listening Earth
Repeats the story of her birth:

Whilst all the stars that round her burn,
And all the planets in their turn,
Confirm the tidings as they roll

And spread the truth from pole to pole.

What though in solemn silence all
Move round the dark terrestrial ball;
What though nor real voice nor sound
Amidst their radiant orbs be found?
In Reason's ear they all rejoice,
And utter forth a glorious voice:
For ever singing as they shine,
The Hand that made us is divine.'

The Lord my pasture shall prepare

T

THE Lord my pasture shall prepare,
And feed me with a shepherd's care;
His presence shall my wants supply,