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¶ Gabriel and Zacharias.
Gab.
BLess'd Zacharias, cease to be afeard,
A John shall call thee Father, thou art heard.
He shall be richly stor'd with Grace and Mirth;
The God of gods shall celebrate his Birth.
Zac.
O Lord, whereby can I know this? my life
Is well-nigh spent; likew se my ancient Wife,
Her years are so in number, I am bold
To say, for bearing Children she's too old.
Gab.
Is any thing impossible to God,
Whose Power can do it with a word, or nod?
I that am Gabriel, am sent down from high
To do this message from the Deity:
And seeing thou believ'st not what I say,
Behold, thou shalt be dumb until that day.
Then will I loosen that which now I strung;
Thou shalt have John, & with that John a tongue.