The Virginia Gazette

Mr. RIND,

SOMETIME ago I troubled you with an ODE for NEW YEAR's DAY, which (tho' very late) you favour'd with a Place in your Gazette. I have herewith sent you two Pieces, one for GOOD FRIDAY, the other for EASTER DAY, which if you please to insert, are at your Service, from

Sir, Your constant Reader,

A. B.

A SACRED ODE for GOOD FRIDAY.

SING heavenly Muses in tune your celestial Lays;
Solemn and melancholy, as you rove:
To your eternal KING smooth Numbers raise,
And sing the FUNERAL of the GOD of Love.

The righteous BRANCH of great Renown,
That ROSE of Sharon; Sion's PRIDE
From the blest Realms of Joy came down,
Or Man eternally had dy'd.

Behold the PRINCE of Peace betray'd!
He bows his mighty Head!
He thirsts (the GOD of Nature said)
And adds,-"TIs FINISHED."

See from his Side,
The Crimson Tide
Of Blood and Water! See
By direful Bands,
His Feet and Hands,
Nail'd to the shameful Tree!

Weep Angels-Weep angelic Host,
Your Sovereign LORD yields up the Ghost
Weep Man; let Floods of Tears o'erflow thine Eyes,
For on Mount Calvary your REDEEMER dies.

II.

The Sun asham'd at such a dismal Sight,
Veil'd from this gloomy World it's chearing Light;
Peals of loud Thunder, dreadful roar'd around,
And flaming Lightnings scorch'd the trembling Ground
Earth from its Centre shook! the rending Rocks
And solemn Tombs their Secrets did disclose;
While horrid Dread th' astonish'd Nation shocks,
And from the nauseous Graves the Dead arose

Victorious Love!-The great immortal KING,
By tasting Death--disarm'd Death's mortal Sting;
Chain'd the grim Tyrant as his abject Slave,
And bade Defiance to the darksome Grave.

III.

Sing Oh! ye Heavens.—Sing ye Sons of Light,
Rejoice ye Saints that saw the unequall'd Sight
Join the glad Chorus all ye Cherubs on high,
For you beheld the great MESSIAH die.

Chiefly ye Sons of Men unite,
To raise your grateful Voice;
With Raptures of unfeign'd Delight
Your ransom'd Souls rejoice.
With Thanks unbounded Swell your Song
Oh! join the blest seraphic Throng,
In endless Praises due;
And as ye celebrate this Day,
All penitent devoutly pray,
To HIM that dy'd for You.

For worthy is the LAMB that once was slain,
Of Pray'r and Praise in every tuneful Strain;
Honor and Glory, Power and Love be given,
To HIM who Dy'd that we might live in Heaven.

An ODE for EASTER DAY.

RECITATIVE.

NOW is CHRIST ris'n;-Now MESSIAH reigns;
The Grave is conquer'd;-Satan bound in Chains.
Angels, that roll'd the trusty stone away,
Join your glad Songs to celebrate this Day:
With golden Harps and every tuneful String,
Make Skies resound and echoing Valleys ring.
Chiefly ye Sons of Men your Voices raise,
And with loud Organs sound your SAVIOUR's Praise.

AIR.

Transporting News the Fair Ones bring;
Sad melancholy wave:
For our REDEEMER, GOD and KING,
Is risen from the Grave.
Now Death where is thy boasted Pow'r?
How vain thy Triumph in that Hour,
The ransom'd world shall tell!
On thy sad Head the Blow rebounds,
The fatal sting thy bosom wounds,
And levels thee with Hell.

DUET.

Oh! Grave where is thy victory?
How soon thy Triumph's o'er?
The SON of GOD no more shall die
Nor in thy gloomy Cavern lie,
Henceforth for evermore.

CHORUS.

Angels and Men transported cry,
All Glory be to GOD on high:
Now join the sweet triumphant Lay,
For JESUS CHRIST is ris'n To-DAY;
Ye Organs Hallelujahs play,
Our SAVIOUR-CHRIST is ris'n To-DAY.