Page:Poems Baldwin.djvu/29

THE ADVENT OF CHRIST.

:This lovely earth, which man, when pure, had found
A paradise, was now by sin's dark power
Reigning supreme, resounding with the voice
Of the oppressor, and the sad laments
Th' aggriev'd so vainly rais'd. As a cloud,
Iniquity o'ershadow'd every mind;
Their view was darken'd to the beauty seen
In holiness; and unbelief's dark chain
Had bound them fast: yet then, yet even then,
When sin had reign'd to death, and over all
The evil spirit spread his with'ring power,
Our God e'en then, as if to show a love
Unfailing for the sinful, sent his son,
The promis'd Saviour, to give light and life!
 Night's shady robe had veil'd the Eastern land;
Yet in the field the watchful shepherds staid
To guard their flock, when there appear'd to them
An angel from on high. Oh, hear the words
That gentle spirit breath'd! What joy, what hope,
The heart believing feels as those soft sounds
Fall on the list'ning ear! "Fear not," said he:
"Good tidings of great joy to you I bring,
And they shall be to all: to you, this day,
In David's city, is a Saviour born."