Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, EPIPHANY, by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

EPIPHANY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Lord babe, if thou art he
Last Line: Come, worship christ together.
Alternate Author Name(s): Alleyne, Ellen; Rossetti, Christina
Subject(s): Worship


'LORD Babe, if Thou art He
We sought for patiently,
Where is Thy court?
Hither may prophecy and star resort;
Men heed not their report.' --
'Bow down and worship, righteous man:
This Infant of a span
Is He man sought for since the world began!' --
'Then, Lord, accept my gold, too base a thing
For Thee, of all kings King.' --

'Lord Babe, despite Thy youth
I hold Thee of a truth
Both Good and Great:
But wherefore dost Thou keep so mean a state,
Low-lying desolate?' --
'Bow down and worship, righteous seer:
The Lord our God is here
Approachable, Who bids us all draw near.' --
'Wherefore to Thee I offer frankincense,
Thou Sole Omnipotence.' --

'But I have only brought
Myrrh; no wise afterthought
Instructed me
To gather pearls or gems, or choice to see
Coral or ivory.' --
'Not least thine offering proves thee wise:
For myrrh means sacrifice,
And He that lives, this Same is He that dies.' --
'Then here is myrrh: alas, yea woe is me
That myrrh befitteth Thee.' --

Myrrh, frankincense, and gold:
And lo from wintry fold
Good-will doth bring
A Lamb, the innocent likeness of this King
Whom stars and seraphs sing:
And lo the bird of love, a Dove,
Flutters and coos above:
And Dove and Lamb and Babe agree in love: --
Come all mankind, come all creation hither,
Come, worship Christ together.





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