Classic Poem

Thou Son of God, virtue's immortal friend,
With glory crown'd in worlds on high;
Ne'er shall thy vast dominion know its end,
Till time and death and nature die.

Terrestrial thrones and empyrean Pow'rs
Obey thy all commanding nod:
Hell trembles, and with all her princes cow'rs
Beneath the terror of thy rod.

A mortal once, 'mong sinful mortals born,
A lowly virgin gave thee birth.
No palace did thy natal hour adorn,
No festal welcome thee on earth.

Thy infant limbs the cradling manger knew,
Thy youth was in a cottage train'd:
Poor and despis'd thy youth to manhood grew;
In manhood poor, a man disdain'd.

In perils oft, in painful toils and grief,
Thy days were spent — to bless mankind;
To give the wounded heart divine relief,
And freedom to the captive mind.

To call the wand'ring in the darksome road
Of ignorance, and sin, and death;
To charm them back to virtue, peace, and God,
Employ'd the moments of thy breath.

At length, to finish great redemption's plan,
In duty to his father's will;
Extended on a cross the wondrous man
Expires — his mercy to fulfill.

Loud anthems hail'd thee to thy father's throne,
Virtue is thy imperial care.
Let the whole earth thy golden scepter own,
Let the whole earth its blessings share.