The blossoms on her tree of life

Shone with the dews of recent bliss; Translated in that deadly strife

She plucks its fruit in Paradise.

Mourn for the Prince, who rose at morn
To seek and bless the firstling Bud
Of his own Rose, and found the thorn,
Its point bedew'd with tears of blood.

Mourn for Britannia's hopes decay'd; Her daughters wail their dear defence, Their fair example prostrate laid,

Chaste love, and fervid innocence!

O Thou! who mark'st the monarch's path,
To sad Jeshurun's sons attend!
Amid the lightnings of thy wrath
The showers of consolation send!

Jehovah frowns!-The Islands bow,
And Prince and People kiss the rod !
Their dread chastising Judge wert Thou -
Be Thou their Comforter, O God!

TRANSLATION OF A PASSAGE IN OTTFRIED'S METRICAL PARAPHRASE OF THE GOSPELS.

Written about the time of Charlemagne, in the Theotiscan, or transitional state of the Teutonic Language from the Gothic to the old German of the Suabian Period. Ottfried is describing the circumstances immediately following the birth of our Lord.

SHE gave with joy her virgin breast;
She hid it not, she bared the breast,
Which suckled that divinest babe!
Blessed, blessed were the breasts
Which the Saviour infant kiss'd;

And blessed, blessed was the mother
Who wrapp'd his limbs in swaddling clothes,
Singing placed him on her lap,

Hung o'er him with her looks of love,
And soothed him with a lulling motion.

Blessed! for she shelter'd him
From the damp and chilling air;

Blessed, blessed! for she lay

With such a babe in one bless'd bed,

Close as babes and mothers lie!

Blessed, blessed evermore,

With her virgin lips she kiss'd,
With her arms, and to her breast
She embraced the babe divine,
Her babe divine the virgin mother!
There lives not on this ring of earth
A mortal, that can sing her praise.
Mighty mother, virgin pure,

In the darkness and the night
For us she bore the heavenly Lord.