Henry Charles Beeching, ed. (1859–1919). Lyra Sacra: A Book of Religious Verse. 1903.
By John Milton (1608–1674)Upon the Circumcision
| 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! | |
| Oh, 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 cov’nant 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! | |