THE VISITATION OF OUR LADY by EMILY HENRIETTA HICKEY

WHO is passing along to-day,
Travelling on her joyful way?

Angels guard her and guide unseen,
But she goeth not an earthly queen,

This, the Lady born to be
Queen of Heaven for eternity.

Joyful she breathes the hills' clear breath,
As she goeth to greet Elizabeth.

The little conies unafraid
Play round the steps of the sinless Maid;

Just as they played ere Mother Eve
Taught creation to fear and grieve.

The song from the throat of singing bird
Is sweeter than ever before was heard:

The happy breath of leaf and flower
More fragrant than even in Eden bower:

And the eagle, from height magnific won,
Looks down to her, not up to the sun.

Divine, she goeth unrevealed,
A spring shut up, a fountain sealed:

But where she passeth, children play
Good and joyful the livelong day:

And tear-dimmed eyes and hearts that ache
Are glad for her lovely unknown sake.

Yet none of them dream how God doth rest
In the still shelter of her breast.

Swift she goes till her quest is won,
And she greets who carries the wondrous son;

The babe who leaps in his mother's womb
Because the Mother of God is come.

O blessed Maid of Nazareth!
O blessed wife, Elizabeth!

Youth and eld are face to face,
And clasp each other in dear embrace,

Loveliest youth and loveliest eld,
Such as the world had ne'er beheld.

Eld made young by the gracious power
Of the joy of the fair conception-hour:

Bright in the honour laid on her,
To carry the Lord Christ's harbinger:

And youth that stands this wondrous day,
The Wisdom of God for ever and aye.

These did the Lord together bring
In the time of love's dear visiting.

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