Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

John Dryden (1631–1700). The Poems of John Dryden. 1913.

Translations of Latin Hymns and Minor Miscellanies

Hymn for the Nativity of St. John Baptist

O SYLVAN Prophet! whose eternal Fame

Echoes from Judah’s Hills and Jordan’s Stream,

The Musick of our Numbers raise,

And tune our Voices to thy Praise.

A Messenger from high Olympus came

To bear the Tidings of thy Life and Name,

And told thy Sire each Prodigy

That Heav’n design’d to work in thee.

Hearing the News, and doubting in Surprize,

His faltering Speech in fetter’d Accent dy’s;

But Providence, with happy Choice,

In thee restor’d thy Father’s Voice.

In the Recess of Nature’s dark Abode,

Though still enclos’d, yet knewest thou thy God;

Whilst each glad Parent told and blest

The Secrets of each other’s Breast.