| W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895. | | | | Upon the Circumcision | | John Milton (1608–1674) |
| | | YE flaming Powers, and wingèd Warriors bright, | |
| That erst with music, and triumphant song, | |
| First heard by happy watchful shepherds’ ear, | |
| So sweetly sung your joy the clouds along, | |
| Through the soft silence of the listening night, | 5 |
| Now mourn; and, if sad share with us to bear | |
| Your fiery essence can distil no tear, | |
| Burn in your sighs, and borrow | |
| Seas wept from our deep sorrow. | |
| He who with all Heaven’s heraldry whilere | 10 |
| Entered the world now bleeds to give us ease. | |
| Alas! how soon our sin | |
| Sore doth begin | |
| His infancy to seize! | |
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| O more exceeding love, or law more just? | 15 |
| Just law, indeed, but more exceeding love! | |
| For we by rightful doom remediless | |
| Were lost in death, till he, that dwelt above | |
| High throned in secret bliss, for us frail dust | |
| Emptied his glory, even to nakedness; | 20 |
| And that great covenant which we still transgress | |
| Entirely satisfied, | |
| And the full wrath beside | |
| Of vengeful justice bore for our excess, | |
| And seals obedience first with wounding smart | 25 |
| This day; but oh! ere long, | |
| Huge pangs and strong | |
| Will pierce more near his heart. | | | | |
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