| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895. |
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| Regina Cœli |
| | | Coventry Kersey Dighton Patmore (1823–96) |
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| SAY, did his sisters wonder what could Joseph see | |
| In a mild, silent little Maid like thee? | |
| And was it awful, in that narrow house, | |
| With God for Babe and Spouse? | |
| Nay, like thy simple, female sort, each one | 5 |
| Apt to find Him in Husband and in Son, | |
| Nothing to thee came strange in this. | |
| Thy wonder was but wondrous bliss: | |
| Wondrous, for, though | |
| True Virgin lives not but does know, | 10 |
| (Howbeit none ever yet confess’d,) | |
| That God lies really in her breast, | |
| Of thine He made His special nest! And so | |
| All mothers worship little feet, | |
| And kiss the very ground they’ve trod; | 15 |
| But, ah, thy little Baby sweet | |
| Who was indeed thy God! | |
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