The Magi came to Bethlehem, The House of Bread, and following them, As they the Star, I too am led To Christ, the living House of Bread. A pilgrim from the hour of birth, The night-cold bosom of the earth I traversed, heavenward journeying, A hidden prophecy of Spring My only guide, a lifted blade My only weapon, till the Shade, The latest to withstand me, lay Death-smitten at the door of Day. O Light! O heavenly Warmth! to you My cup-bearers, I quaffed the dew, The pledge and sacramental sign Of Life that mingling first with mine, A sap-like inspiration, ran To mingle with the life of man. As leaped the Infant in the womb At Mary's voice, e'en so to bloom And ripeness, while the reapers sang, My soul -- their songs inspiring -- sprang To meet the scythe, the flail, the stone Of sacrifice, whereby alone, Through waves of palpitating flame, The Bread upon the altar came. And here, O mystery of Love, Behold, from highest heaven above, Through @3Me@1, the Son of God again, A victim for the sons of men! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MOTTO TO THE SONGS OF INNOCENCE & OF EXPERIENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE A DIALOGUE ANTHEM by GEORGE HERBERT ODE [FOR MUSIC] ON ST. CECILIA'S DAY by ALEXANDER POPE FAREWELL TO ARRAS by ADAM DE LA HALLE LINES TO A BEAUTIFUL AND BUS-RIDING LADY by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS EMBLEMS OF LOVE: 38. NO PERJURY IN LOVE by PHILIP AYRES CHRISTMAS AFTER WAR by KATHARINE LEE BATES |