haerent in uno sidera desuper intenta visu, dum pia numine unum superfuso coronant: nec reducis face pulsa lucis cedunt monenti Lucifero fugae, ignes micantum non prius orbium pressura quam tempus morandi Caelipotens vetet ipse duci. quin, orta quanquam dispulerat dies umbras nigrantes, ipse volantibus nolebat indulgere bigis sol faciem pudebundus abdens: non his beatas senserat ignibus egere terras, non tolerabilem sedi coruscanti rotisque flammiferis renitere Solem. The shepherds on the lawn, Or e'er the point of dawn, Sat simply chatting in a rustic row; Full little thought they then, That the mighty Pan Was kindly come to live with them below; Perhaps their loves, or else their sheep, Was all that did their silly thoughts so busy keep. When such music sweet Their hearts and ears did greet, As never was by mortal finger strook, Divinely-warbled voice Answering the stringéd noise, As all their souls in blissful rapture took : The air, such pleasure loth to lose, With thousand echoes still prolongs each heavenly close. herba sedentes ordine rustico simplex bubulci colloquium novae sub lucis adventum serebant: quos latuit, reor, otiosos Pan magnus astris terricolum domos mutare dignans. maior ovilium, fortasse maior distinebat cura leves animos amorum. tum mentem et aures alliciunt soni iucundiores quam quibus intremat terrestre plectrum; dum canoris caelicolum velut arte chordis vox apta sensus commovet intimos, cui mille lentus reddit imagines, ne maius humano repente intereat modulamen, aer. Nature that heard such sound, Beneath the hollow round Of Cynthia's seat, the airy region thrilling, Now was almost won To think her part was done, And that her reign had here its last fulfilling ; She knew such harmony alone Could hold all heaven and earth in happier union. At last surrounds their sight A globe of circular light, That with long beams the shamefaced night arrayed; The helméd cherubim, And sworded seraphim, Are seen in glittering ranks with wings displayed, Harping in loud and solemn quire, With unexpressive notes to Heaven's new-born Heir. quas ipsa voces aetheris in plagis Natura lunae sub solio poli convexa pertentare mirans paene suo fore iam labori regnoque finem credidit ultimum : nec postulari iam sua foedera ut terra cum caelo iugetur, quos melius iuget ille cantus. mox solis instar suspicientibus affulget orbis, flammifer immicans noctis verecundae tenebris: stant galea gladioque clari Regis ministri caelitis alites, dum rite pleno murmure carminum non eloquendorum Parentis exoriens celebratur Heres. |