"AN ODE ON CHRISTMAS."

[This piece, which Mr. Drew terms an Ode,' bears a date nearly twelve months prior to that of the poetical composition quoted at page 116, as the earliest of his, extant. The MS was not found until the volume was nearly through the press; and though it could not be introduced in its proper order, yet, as an interesting relic, the reader may be gratified by its insertion in the Appendix. It is given, with no other correction than that of the orthography. There is enough of poetry in the piece, to establish a claim to genius, and enough of deviation from propriety, and the rules of correct composition, to shew the difficulties with which genius has to contend, when unaided by education.]

FAREWELL, ye scenes where desolation reigns
Pride domineers, and wraps the world in chains!
Ye rayless shades of intellectual night,
Empires in blood that pall the human sight;

Ye scenes, in which life's varied forms appear,
Where heathen gods their magic standards rear,

And folly, leagued with vice, dance round the passing year.
Ye lamps, that life's nocturnal portrait drew-

Heroes and arms

I bid you all adieu ! A nobler form, descending from the skies, Claims my attention, and detains my eyes, Directs the mind in its uncertain flight,

And breaks upon me in a flood of light.

Through night's dim shades a heavenly form descends;
Light grace his paths, and peace his steps attends.

Where careful shepherds watched their fleecy care,
In all the rigours of December's air,

A herald voice proclaimed an angel near,

And with new glories raised the expiring year.

When thus the form in heavenly strains began "Hail! favoured earth! - Hail! highly favoured man!

I come, designed by that Almighty Lord,

"Who formed yon worlds with his prolific word,

"When formless chaos and the realms of night
Produced creation to my ravished sight,-
"I come, designed by that Almighty King:
"Rejoice O earth! ye barren mountains sing!

Through thy domains glad tidings shall abound; "Thy sons enslaved, shall hear the joyful sound; "Through frozen climes, where seas forget to roll, "Truth shall prevail, and spread from pole to pole; "Where burning zones receive the solar rays, "Joy, breaking forth, the illumined world shall seize : "No tribes shall mourn a partial favour given; "No soul exempt reproach neglectful Heaven, "For on this day - on this auspicious morn, "In Bethlehem town the incarnate Godhead's born; "The promised seed prophetic seers foretold

"Foresaw predicted did by faith behold

"The mighty God! mankind's eternal friend!

"Great Prince of Peace! whose kingdom knows no end! "On hay reclined, in swathes He now appears;

"A simple manger now the Godhead bears!"

He paused-when lo! a multitude was heard,

Whose heavenly songs the astonished shepherds scared:

66

Glory to God in highest strains be raised;

"Feel it, O earth- and be thy Maker praised;

"O'er earth's long shores peace shall extend her sway; "Her sons shall hear hostilities decay;

"Good will to man shall smile on every plain,

-

"And peace and plenty greet the world again."
Here ceased their song, then from the dusky shade,
Through realms of light, their radiant wings displayed.
Say, then, my muse, what theme will charm the ear,
Warm the cold soul, and draw the pious tear?
Say how the Godhead, wrapped in human clay,
Threw by the glories of unclouded day,
The gospel standard through the skies unfurled,
And held out mercy to a ruined world.

Hail! blessed time! auspicious era, hail!

Hail! conquering love—and truth that must prevail !

O'er earth's wide face unveil the sacred road,
That leads from darkness to the throne of God!
The swarthy sons of Afric's torrid soil,

And Lybia's wastes, shall feel thy genial smile;
India shall rise, forgetful of her stores,
To meet salvation on her native shores.
No more shall warriors spread their dire alarms,
Form new allies, and call the world to arms;
War's fatal trumpet sound her blast no more ;
No reeking slaughter bathe her steps in gore.
Earth's fertile vales the quickening voice shall hear,
Rise into plains, and mountains disappear;
Rough places smoothed shall richest pasture yield,
And crooked paths produce a fertile field;
Thy savage tribes shall be at length subdued,

And conquered-rise-in righteousness renewed.

Those swarms that pressed where splendid greatness shone, Shall quit her interest to promote their own;

Despotic power that human scourge shall cease,

And captive slaves from servile chains release;

Types shall no more to anti-types extend;
Rites disappear― and priestly orders end.
Refulgent scenes shall these dark days succeed,
And gospel truths in radiant circles spread;
Man's present aims with future interests blend ;
To distant worlds the rising soul shall tend;
Messiah's power shall renovate the whole,

And truth, combined with love, prevade the human soul."

"December 25, 1791."

FINIS.

"SAMUEL DREW."

NAMES OF SUBSCRIBERS.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF SUSSEX.

Mr. Abbot, St. Martin's 1. London
Mr. Atwood, Islington
Michael Ashton, esq. Liverpool
Mr. Armstrong, Philadelphia
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Mr. William Andrew, St. Mewan
Mr. Henry S. Andrew, St. Columb
Mr. John Andrew, Tregaminion
Mr. Carpenter Arthur, Launceston
Mr. Thomas F. Ash, Stratton

Mr. John Anderson, Castle, Fal-
mouth

Mr. Joseph Andrew, Redruth
Mr. Joseph Andrew, Helston

B
LONDON.

John Britton, esq. F. S. A., Bruton

street

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pean

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C
LONDON.

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Chelsea Reading Society
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Mr. T. M. Coombs, Ludgate hill
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Mrs. Dr. Adam Clarke, ditto