Chapter III: To His Mother

He brought a Lily white,
That bowed its fragrant head
And blushed a rosy red
Before her fairer light.

He brought a Rose; and lo,
The crimson blossom saw
Her beauty; and in awe
Became as white as snow.

A LILY OF THE FIELD

In all his glory, Solomon
Was never so arrayed;
Yet far more beautiful is one--
A MOTHER and a MAID--
Whose loveliness and lowliness
God stooped from highest heaven to bless.

THE LAMB-CHILD

When Christ the Babe was born,
Full many a little lamb,
Upon the wintry hills forlorn,
Was nestled near its dam;

And, waking or asleep,
Upon His mother's breast,
For love of her, each mother-sheep
And baby-lamb He blessed.

A PAIR OF TURTLE-DOVES

THE PURIFICATION

"Where, woman, is thine offering--
The debt of law and love?"
"My Babe a tender nestling is,
And I the mother-dove."

HIDE-AND-SEEK

You hid your little self, dear Lord,
As other children do;
But oh, how great was their reward
Who sought three days for you!

OUT OF BOUNDS

A little Boy, of heavenly birth,
But far from home to-day,
Comes down to find His ball, the Earth,
That Sin has cast away.
O comrades, let us one and all
Join in to get Him back His ball.

THE CHILD ON CALVARY

The Cross is tall,
And I too small
To reach His hand
Or touch His feet;
But on the sand
His footprints I have found,
And it is sweet
To kiss the holy ground.

THE CHILD

AT NAZARETH