REDEMPTION. 99
Which earth expects, the gates of Hades dread, And heav'n awaits to hail with loud acclaim."
Sweetly his words fell on her trembling sense, And easy led as God her heart disposed, Her thoughts still flowing redient to their Source, In whom was all her solace, joy, and hope; Willing to yield, consistent with her vow, That seed immaculate, by God prepared, To incarnate his Son; yet inward shrank, Nor least consent would give, could that impute The smallest stain, or purity disrobe. The fear, which first the seraph's words aroused, His words had sooth'd, respective of her vow; Humility alone, with roseate blush By modesty suffused, deferr'd assent. The soft impulse obedience overruled, When thus, submissive to the will of God, She bow'd, and to th' archangel said :
" Behold the handmaid of the Lord; to me According to thy word, may it be done."
With this the seraph vanish'd from her view, When lo, the Holy Ghost, celestial Dove, That o'er the vast, erst brooding, swift evolved Innumerable orbs, and from their dust, And through their empty seas, awoke to life Intelligential forms, on her descends; Instant descends with sweet o'erpow'ring force, And in mysterious union with his Spouse, The spotless Queen, the Son of God begot. Deep in her womb earth felt the thrilling joy; The heavens bowing kiss'd the earth redeem'd, And angels, lowly bending o'er the scene,
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