"SWEETEST Son, what dost Thou see? In Thine eyes groweth the shadow. Dost Thou weary of earth and me While we wander in this sweet meadow? "Flowers are springing all gold before My little Son, who shall be my Man; Meadow grasses bow to adore The sweetest flower since the world began. "Little Jesus that turnest from me, What dost Thou grieve for, sad and apart! Thine eyes see something I cannot see; Why art Thou mournful, little dear heart?" "Mother of mine, I look on a place And men asleep 'neath a darkling sky; One crieth out with a stricken face. O, Mother, I fear that man is I!" "Thou dream'st, small Son! Is naught to fear. Sit and play 'neath the blooming bough. Here be Thine angels, merry and dear. Thy Father will send Thee guards enow." "But, Mother, I see a rabble rout, And one among them is dragged to die. @3'Crucifige!'@1 the voices shout. O, Mother, I fear that man is I!" "Peace, dear Lordkin; here be Thy birds, The kid, Thy sweeting, the lamb, the dove; Thy Father will send Thee a million swords Ere any harm Thee, my Baby Love." "O, Mother, I see a man of grief Nailed to the cross on a hill-top high; His head is bowed betwixt thief and thief— O, Mother, I think that man is I!" "Peace, little Birdkin; they dare not do it; Here runs little John to play with Thee. Rose of Sharon and Jesse's Root, I, Thy Mother, will stay with Thee." She kisses her Rose, His hands, His feet, "It was but dreaming, my Son so small." But over her heart, in the noontide heat, The shadows of three gaunt crosses fall. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...VICTORY IN DEFEAT by EDWIN MARKHAM NIGHT, FR. SONGS OF INNOCENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE QUATRAIN: FATE by RALPH WALDO EMERSON ON SOMETHING THAT WALKS SOMEWHERE by BEN JONSON THE SPIRIT OF SHAKESPEARE: 1 by GEORGE MEREDITH MY LITTLE GIRL by SAMUEL MINTURN PECK |