BOOK II.

THE ARGUMENT.

Solitude. Ministry of Angels. John the Baptist.

Christ at Nazareth.

Call of the Disciples. Sea

of Galilee-Simon Peter. The Transfiguration. Miracles-Nain-the tombs of Gadara-Who touched me ?-the much forgiven-the lepersthe desert feast-Bethany.

THE BETRAYAL.

BOOK II.

O happily alone-—who, in repulse
Of evil presence, instance doth to ill
Disarm, and maketh solitude a joy!

O joy too much of heaven for earth alone,
Religion's self gratulatory hour,

From the hard-fought day of temptation won!

Witness'd it is-nor unshar'd-from above:

By the example of that time endow'd

Unto all ages-when the fellowship,

Saviour, of thy great triumph, Angels sought—.
Thy perfect victory. Where, late, they left

In evil escort-now, well pleas'd, beheld
Thee sole returning; and in such acclaim
As angels to thy wonted honour use-

In words albeit that goodlier were, yet such

As this intent did own-Thee greeted.

Hail,

Lord of superior life! by whom confess'd

Though briefly now Thou lowlier art than they :

Not for thy greatness, willingly foregone,

And glory's self divesture, to this use
Benign, of nature all unworthy Thee,
Created, fallen-may we deem Thee less:
Lord of this nature too-by sovereignty
Of all-of man's by this election seen;
By this assumption own'd; and by this trial

How well asserted! Hail, Emmanuel !

Son of the Highest! The deliverer

Of earth, its low estate. Now hast Thou brought

The wonder oft rehears'd, on earth, to pass—

That erst in heaven was sung. Seed of the woman!

Lo at thy foot already is abas'd

The Serpent's head. Abas'd how mightily!

More lost, more spoil'd, more doom'd in this defeat

Unto thrall'd impotence, than when o'erthrown
In first rebellion, vengeance-scath'd he fled
The arm'd sabaoth whom Thou leddest then
In the Elysian field-more conqueror Thou.
Greets Thee, well pleas'd, Paternal Majesty.
Greet Thee Cherubic and Seraphic praise.
Angelic numbers, many as their hosts,

As their allegiance one, do greet Thee. Saints,
In the priesthood of song perpetual,

Thy name renew: name, as on high it is,

So, soon, on earth to be-all hallowed.

Amen, for Thou art worthy! Hail! Amen!

Spake thus, saluting Him, that host, and ceas'd.

But not with them, ceasing, the melody

Their words had made. For sound of music still,

Charming the dull ear of the desert, hung

Upon its silence: and in sometime breath,

As of new waken'd voice, seem'd there to rise,

And die again: or into echo far