Classic Poem

IN MANUSCRIPT .

Such were the notes that struck the wond'ring ear
Of silent Night, when on the verdant banks
Of Siloe's hallow'd brook celestial harps
According to seraphick voices sung
" Glory to God on high, and on earth
" Peace and goodwill to men! " — Resume the lyre,
Chantress divine! and ev'ry Briton call
Its melody to hear — so shall thy strains,
More pow'rful than the song of Orpheus, tame
The savage heart of brutal Vice, and bend
At pure Religion's shrine the stubborn knees
Of bold Impiety. — Greece shall no more
Of Lesbian Sappho boast, whose wanton Muse,
Like a false Siren, while she charm'd seduc'd
To guilt and ruin. For the sacred head
Of Britain's poetess the Virtues twine
A nobler wreath, by them from Eden's grove
Unfading gather'd, and direct the hand
Of — — to fix it on her brows.