Aubrey de Vere (1814-1902). Poems. IV. Martha and Mary. Alfred H. Miles, ed. 1907. The Sacred Poets of the Nineteenth Century

Alfred H. Miles, ed. The Sacred Poets of the Nineteenth Century. 1907.

Poems.
IV. Martha and Mary

By Aubrey de Vere (1814–1902)


“O SISTER! leave you thus undone
The bidding of the Lord;
Or call you this a welcome? Run
And deck with me the board.”
Thus Martha spake: but spake to one	5
Who answered not a word:
For she kept ever singing,
“There is no joy so sweet,
As musing upon one we love
And sitting at His feet!”	10

“O Sister! must thy hands alone
His board and bath prepare?
His eyes are on you! raise your own:
He’ll find a welcome there!”
Thus spake again, in loftier tone,	15
That Hebrew woman fair.
But Mary still kept singing,
“There is no joy so sweet,
As musing upon Him we love
And resting at His feet.”	20