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(From Christmas Hymn)
WHEN Jordan hushed his waters still, | |
| And silence slept on Zion’s hill; | |
| When Salem’s shepherds through the night | |
| Watched o’er their flocks by starry light,— | |
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| Hark! from the midnight hills around, | 5 |
| A voice, of more than mortal sound, | |
| In distant hallelujahs stole, | |
| Wild murmuring o’er the raptured soul. | |
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| Then swift to every startled eye, | |
| New streams of glory gild the sky; | 10 |
| Heaven bursts her azure gates, to pour | |
| Her spirits to the midnight hour. | |
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| On wheels of light, on wings of flame, | |
| The glorious hosts to Zion came; | |
| High heaven with songs of triumph rung, | 15 |
| While thus they smote their harps and sung: | |
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| “O Zion! lift thy raptured eye: | |
| The long-expected hour is nigh; | |
| The joys of nature rise again; | |
| The Prince of Salem comes to reign. | 20 |
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| See Mercy, from her golden urn, | |
| Pours a rich stream to them that mourn; | |
| Behold, she binds, with tender care, | |
| The bleeding bosom of Despair. | |
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| He comes to cheer the trembling heart, | 25 |
| Bids Satan and his host depart; | |
| Again the day-star gilds the gloom, | |
| Again the bowers of Eden bloom. | |
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| O Zion! lift thy raptured eye: | |
| The long-expected hour is nigh; | 30 |
| The joys of nature rise again; | |
| The Prince of Salem comes to reign.” * * * * * | |
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