At a Solemn Music
Sphere-born harmonious Sisters Voice and Verse!
Wed your divine sounds and mixt power employ
Dead things with inbreathed sense able to pierce;
And to our high-raised phantasy present
That undisturbèd Song of pure concent
Aye sung before the sapphire-colour'd throne
To Him that sits thereon
With saintly shout and solemn jubilee;
Where the bright Seraphim in burning row
Their loud uplifted angel-trumpets blow;
And the Cherubic host in thousand quires
Touch their immortal harps of golden wires
With those just Spirits that wear victorious palms.
Hymns devout and holy psalms
Singing everlastingly:
That we on Earth with undiscording voice
May rightly answer that melodious noise;
As once we did till disproportion'd sin
Jarr'd against nature's chime and with harsh din
Broke the fair music that all creatures made
To their great Lord whose love their motion sway'd
In perfect diapason whilst they stood
In first obedience and their state of good.
O may we soon again renew that Song
And keep in tune with Heaven till God ere long
To His celestial consort us unite
To live with Him and sing in endless morn of light!