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Poetry Library

— John Milton

Say, Heavenly Muse, shall not thy sacred vein 15

Afford a present to the Infant God?

Hast thou no verse, no hymn, or solemn strain,

To welcome him to this his new abode,

…

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noun

A way or means of approaching or entering; an entrance; a passage.

“Writers often choose access when discussing complex ideas.”

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FOR THE CHILDREN OF CHRIST'S HOSPITAL

42 lines
Samuel Taylor Coleridge·1772–1834
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eraphs! around th' Eternal's seat who throngWith tuneful ecstasies of praise:O! teach our feeble tongues like yours the songOf fervent gratitude to raise--Like you, inspired with holy flame 5To dwell on that Almighty nameWho bade the child of Woe no longer sigh,And Joy in tears o'erspread the widow's eye. Th' all-gracious Parent hears the wretch's prayer;The meek tear strongly pleads on high; 10Wan Resignation struggling with despairThe Lord beholds with pitying eye;Sees cheerless Want unpitied pine,Disease on earth its head recline,And bids Compassion seek the realms of woe 15To heal the wounded, and to raise the low. She comes! she comes! the meek-eyed Power I seeWith liberal hand that loves to bless;The clouds of Sorrow at her presence flee;Rejoice! rejoice! ye Children of Distress! 20The beams that play around her headThro' Want's dark vale their radiance spread:The young uncultur'd mind imbibes the ray,And Vice reluctant quits th' expected prey. Cease, thou lorn mother! cease thy wailings drear; 25Ye babes! the unconscious sob forego;Or let full Gratitude now prompt the tearWhich erst did Sorrow force to flow.Unkindly cold and tempest shrillIn Life's morn oft the traveller chill, 30But soon his path the sun of Love shall warm;And each glad scene look brighter for the storm! 1789. FOOTNOTES: [5:2] First published in 1834. LINENOTES: _Anthem._ For the Children, &c.] This Anthem was written as if intendedto have been sung by the Children of Christ's Hospital. MS. O. [3] yours] you MS. O. [14] its head on earth MS. O. JULIA[6:1] [IN CHRIST'S HOSPITAL BOOK]
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