| |
| LACKING samite and sable, | |
| Lacking silver and gold, | |
| The Prince Jesus in the poor stable | |
| Slept, and was three hours old. | |
| |
| As doves by the fair water, | 5 |
| Mary, not touch’d of sin, | |
| Sat by Him,—the King’s daughter, | |
| All glorious within. | |
| |
| A lily without one stain, a | |
| Star where no spot hath room. | 10 |
| Ave, gratia plena— | |
| Virgo Virginum! | |
| |
| Clad not in pearl-sewn vesture, | |
| Clad not in cramoisie, | |
| She hath hush’d, she hath cradled to rest, her | 15 |
| God the first time on her knee. | |
| |
| Where is one to adore Him? | |
| The ox hath dumbly confess’d, | |
| With the ass, meek kneeling before Him, | |
| Et homo factus est. | 20 |
| |
| Not throned on ivory or cedar, | |
| Not crown’d with a Queen’s crown, | |
| At her breast it is Mary shall feed her | |
| Maker, from Heaven come down. | |
| |
| The trees in Paradise blossom | 25 |
| Sudden, and its bells chime— | |
| She giveth Him, held to her bosom, | |
| Her immaculate milk the first time. | |
| |
| The night with wings of angels | |
| Was alight, and its snow-pack’d ways | 30 |
| Sweet made (say the Evangels) | |
| With the noise of their virelays. | |
| |
| Quem vidistis, pastores? | |
| Why go ye feet unshod? | |
| Wot ye within yon door is | 35 |
| Mary, the Mother of God? | |
| |
| No smoke of spice is ascending | |
| There—no roses are piled— | |
| But, choicer than all balms blending | |
| There Mary hath kiss’d her child. | 40 |
| |
| Dilectus meus mihi | |
| Et ego Illi—cold | |
| Small cheek against her cheek, He | |
| Sleepeth, three hours old. | |
| |
