* * * * *

  ’Perhaps I may allow the Dean
  Had too much satire in his vein;
  And seemed determined not to starve it,
  Because no age could more deserve it.

  Yet malice never was his aim;
  He lashed the vice, but spared the name;
  No individual could resent,
  Where thousands equally were meant;
  His satire points at no defect,
  But what all mortals may correct;
  For he abhorred that senseless tribe
  Who call it humour when they gibe: 
  He spared a hump, or crooked nose,
  Whose owners set not up for beaux. 
  True genuine dulness moved his pity,
  Unless it offered to be witty. 
  Those who their ignorance confessed,
  He never offended with a jest;
  But laughed to hear an idiot quote
  A verse from Horace learned by rote.

  ’He knew a hundred pleasing stories,
  With all the turns of Whigs and Tories: 
  Was cheerful to his dying day;
  And friends would let him have his way.

  ’He gave the little wealth he had
  To build a house for fools and mad;
  And showed by one satiric touch,
  No nation wanted it so much.’

CHARLES WESLEY

  FOR CHRISTMAS-DAY

  Hark! how all the welkin rings
  ’Glory to the King of kings! 
  Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
  God and sinners reconciled!’

  Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
  Join the triumph of the skies;
  Universal nature say,
  ‘Christ the Lord is born to-day!’

  Christ, by highest Heaven adored;
  Christ, the everlasting Lord;
  Late in time behold Him come,
  Offspring of a virgin’s womb!

  Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
  Hail, th’ incarnate Deity,
  Pleased as man with men to appear,
  Jesus, our Immanuel here!

  Hail! the heavenly Prince of Peace! 
  Hail! the Sun of Righteousness! 
  Light and life to all He brings,
  Risen with healing in His wings.

  Mild He lays His glory by,
  Barn that man no more may die,
  Born to raise the sons of earth,
  Born to give them second birth.

  Come, Desire of Nations, come,
  Fix in us Thy humble home! 
  Rise, the Woman’s conquering Seed,
  Bruise in us the Serpent’s head!

  Now display Thy saving power,
  Ruined nature now restore,
  Now in mystic union join
  Thine to ours, and ours to Thine!

  Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface;
  Stamp Thy image in its place;
  Second Adam from above,
  Reinstate us in Thy love!

  Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
  Thee, the Life, the Inner Man;
  O! to all Thyself impart,
  Formed in each believing heart!

  FOR EASTER-DAY

  ‘Christ the Lord is risen to-day,’
  Sons of men and angels say: 
  Raise your joys and triumphs high,
  Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply.