At a Solemn Music

    Sphere-born harmonious¹ Sisters Voice and Verse！

    Wed² 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 jubilee³；

    Where the bright Seraphim⁴ in burning row

    Their loud uplifted angel-trumpets blow；

    And the Cherubic host in thousand quires

    Touch their immortal⁵ harps⁶ of golden wires

    With those just Spirits that wear victorious⁷ palms.

    Hymns⁸ devout⁹ and holy psalms¹⁰

    Singing everlastingly¹¹：

    That we on Earth with undiscording voice

    May rightly answer that melodious¹³ noise；

    As once we did till disproportion'd sin

    Jarr'd against nature's chime and with harsh din¹²

    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 obedience¹⁴ and their state of good.

    O may we soon again renew that Song

    And keep in tune¹⁵ with Heaven till God ere long

    To His celestial¹⁶ consort¹⁷ us unite

    To live with Him and sing in endless morn of light！