Classic and Contemporary Poetry
OUR LADY, by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Goddess azure-mantled and aureoled Last Line: And complete the creation. Alternate Author Name(s): Bridges, Robert+(2) Subject(s): Mary. Mother Of Jesus; Women In The Bible; Virgin Mary | ||||||||
I Goddess azure-mantled and aureoled That standing barefoot upon the moon Or throned as a Queen of the earth Tranquilly smilest to hold The Child-god in thine arms, Whence thy glory? Art not she The country maiden of Galilee Simple in dowerless poverty Who from humble cradle to grave Hadst no thought of this wonder? When to man dull of heart Dawn'd at length graciously Thy might of Motherhood The starry Truth beam'd on his home; Then with insight exalted he gave thee The trappings -- Lady -- wherewith his art Delighteth to picture his spirit to sense And that grace is immortal. Fount of creative Love Mother of the Word eternal Atoning man with God: Who set thee apart as a garden enclosed From Nature's all-producing wilds To rear the richest fruit o' the Life Ever continuing out from Him Urgent since the beginning. II Behold! Man setteth thine image in the height of Heaven And hallowing his untemper'd love Crowneth and throneth thee ador'd (tranquilly joyous to hold The man-child in thine arms) God-like apart from conflict to save thee To guard thy weak caressive beauty With incontaminate jewels of soul Courage, patience, and self-devotion: All this glory he gave thee. Secret and slow is Nature Imperceptibly moving With surely determinate aim: To woman it fell to be early in prime Ready to labour, mould, and cherish The delicate head of all Production The wistful late-maturing boy Who made Knowing of Being. Therefore art thou ador'd Mother of God in man Naturing nurse of power: They who adore not thee shall perish But thou shalt keep thy path of joy Envied of Angels because the All-father Call'd thee to mother his nascent Word And complete the creation. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MADONNA by KATHARINE LEE BATES BALLADE TO OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA by HILAIRE BELLOC OUR LORD AND OUR LADY by HILAIRE BELLOC PLASTIC BEATITUDE by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR A SONG OF MARY by LUCILLE CLIFTON ISLAND MARY by LUCILLE CLIFTON MARY'S DREAM by LUCILLE CLIFTON A PASSER-BY by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES |
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