THE VIRGIN. WHO am I, to be so far exalted Over all the maidens of Judaea, That here only in this lonely bosom Is the wonder-work of God revealed? Oh! to think this little, little infant, Whose warm limbs upon my knees are resting, Helpless, silent, with his tender eyelids, Like two pearl-shells, delicately closed, Is informed with that eternal spirit, Who, between the Cherubim enthroned, Dwells behind the Curtain of the Temple! I can only gaze on him adoring, Fearful lest the simple joy and passion Which my mother-love awakes within me, Be not something bold and too familiar For this Child of Miracle and Glory. TWO ANGELS. (PLAYING ON INSTRUMENTS.) WE and the little cheerful goldfinch, Perched above that blessed seat, -- He above and we below, -- We with voices and sweet viols, He with chirping voice alone, -- Glorify the happy Mother, Glorify the holy Child. Now that our great heavenly Master Has put on this wondrous semblance Of a humble mortal infant, We, the Angels of his presence, Are become as simple children, And beside him watch, admiring All his innocence and beauty, Lulling him to downy slumbers With remembrances of Heaven. THE CHILD JESUS. I SEEM to be asleep, -- I seem to dream, -- But it is Ye, Children of fallen Man, Who dream, not I. Though I am now come down, Out of the Waking of Eternal Truth, Here born into the miserable Dream Of your poor Life, still I must ever wake, For I am Love, and if ye follow me, Ye too will wake; -- I come to lead the way. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...RESPECTABILITY by ROBERT BROWNING HYMN OF TRUST by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES STRANGE MEETING by WILFRED OWEN WHITTIER by MARGARET ELIZABETH MUNSON SANGSTER SATIRES: 51. UPON NOTHING by JOHN WILMOT TO CHLOE; AN APOLOGY FOR GOING INTO THE COUNTRY by JOHN WOLCOTT |