| Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882). Complete Poetical Works. 1893. | | | | Christus: A Mystery | Part II. The Golden Legend.
III. IV. The Nativity: A Miracle-Play.
II. Mary at the Well |
| | MARY. ALONG the garden walk, and thence | |
| Through the wicket in the garden fence, | |
| I steal with quiet pace, | |
| My pitcher at the well to fill, | |
| That lies so deep and cool and still | 5 |
| In this sequestered place. | |
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| These sycamores keep guard around; | |
| I see no face, I hear no sound, | |
| Save bubblings of the spring, | |
| And my companions, who, within, | 10 |
| The threads of gold and scarlet spin, | |
| And at their labor sing. | |
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THE ANGEL GABRIEL. Hail, Virgin Mary, full of grace!Here MARY looketh around her, trembling, and then saith: | |
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MARY. Who is it speaketh in this place, | |
| With such a gentle voice? | 15 |
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GABRIEL. The Lord of heaven is with thee now! | |
| Blessed among all women thou, | |
| Who art his holy choice! | |
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MARY, setting down the pitcher. What can this mean? No one is near, | |
| And yet, such sacred words I hear, | 20 |
| I almost fear to stay. Here the ANGEL, appearing to her, shall say: | |
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GABRIEL. Fear not, O Mary! but believe! | |
| For thou, a Virgin, shalt conceive | |
| A child this very day. | |
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| Fear not, O Mary! from the sky | 25 |
| The majesty of the Most High | |
| Shall overshadow thee! | |
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MARY. Behold the handmaid of the Lord! | |
| According to thy holy word, | |
| So be it unto me! Here the Devils shall again make a great noise, under the stage. | 30 | | | |
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