216 THE POEMS or ANNE �To charm the season, and deceive the night. �Whether, thou Sampson's nervous strength willt chuse, And in bold numbers, exercise thy Muse ? Or if to tender subjects more enclin'd, That move soft pitty, and dissolve the mind, 10 �Thou Joseph's story, rather wilt rehearse, And weep o're Benjamin, in melting Verse, Begin, whilst list'ning to thy voyce, we lye, Nor mind the whist'ling winds, that o're us fly. So! Jesse's Son, upon these plaines, when yong, Watch'd ore his flocks, and so, the Shepheard sung. �Dam: �So, rais'd indeed, that youth, his voyce devine, �Fir'd with the promis'd glory s of his Line, �As if, on Heavens high Mount himself had trod, �And seen his Seed, ascend the seat of God. 20 �Oh! had he lately, on our pastures been, And heard the tydings, and the Vision seen, When Heav'nly Spirits, cloath'd in Robes of light, Broke the thick Shaddows, and expell'd the Night, Proclaiming Peace below, and Praise above, And op'ning all the mister ies of Love, How had he then, above all others skill' d, In raptures sung, of Prophecy s fullfill'd? Our gath'ring flocks, upon the splendour gaz'd, The weary slept not, nor the hungry graz'd, 30 �Their leaders, by them stood, delighted, and amazed. A pleasing wonder, tho' allay'd with fear, Fill'd every breast, and open'd every ear, When thus began the Messengers. of Heaven; �To you a Child is born, to you a Son is giv'n, Prayses they gave, and titles did encrease, Wonderfull! Councellour! and Prince of Peace! ��� �
