Classic and Contemporary Poetry
JOSEPH AND MARY, by JAMES ELROY FLECKER Poet's Biography First Line: Mary, art thou the little maid Last Line: Nor see his shining eyes. Subject(s): Joseph, Saint (1st Century B.c.-a.d.); Mary. Mother Of Jesus; Women In The Bible; Virgin Mary | ||||||||
JOSEPH Mary, art thou the little maid Who plucked me flowers in Spring? I know thee not: I feel afraid: Thou'rt strange this evening. A sweet and rustic girl I won What time the woods were green; No woman with deep eyes that shone, And the pale brows of a Queen. MARY (inattentive to his words) A stranger came with feet of flame And told me this strange thing, -- For all I was a village maid My son should be a King. JOSEPH A King, dear wife. Who ever knew Of Kings in stables born! MARY Do you hear, in the dark and starlit blue The clarion and the horn? JOSEPH Mary, alas, lest grief and joy Have sent thy wits astray; But let me look on this my boy, And take the wraps away. MARY Behold the lad. JOSEPH I dare not gaze: Light streams from every limb. MARY The winter sun has stored his rays, And passed the fire to him. Look Eastward, look! I hear a sound. O Joseph, what do you see? JOSEPH The snow lies quiet on the ground And glistens on the tree; The sky is bright with a star's great light, And clearly I behold Three Kings descending yonder hill, Whose crowns are crowns of gold. O Mary, what do you hear and see With your brow toward the West? MARY The snow lies glistening on the tree And silent on Earth's breast; And strong and tall, with lifted eyes Seven shepherds walk this way, And angels breaking from the skies Dance, and sing hymns, and pray. JOSEPH I wonder much at these bright Kings; The shepherds I despise. MARY You know not what a shepherd sings, Nor see his shining eyes. | 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 SANTORIN (A LEGEND OF THE AEGEAN) by JAMES ELROY FLECKER |
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