That thou for gift shouldst proffer dreadful myrrh ?

That thou, where for awhile the world's aches cease,

Shouldst bring no pleasure and shouldst cry no peace ?

(73)



The Christian Tear



III

Up, up ! he prophesied a thing too true !
Up, sweet, and quickly after them pursue !
Care not for martyrdoms thou leav'st behind !
Take sager refuge in the Egyptian mind,
Whose Pharaoh, though his ritual kneel to powers
(Fame, Science, Wealth) alien to birth of ours,
May keep the Child safe against bloody storm :
High Reason in his holy place of form
Decrees security from raging bands
The Herod of this world's Judaea commands ;
Who, the great lord of change, our sensual coast
Still ravages with armed and impious host.
How many a virtue and delight must die !
How many a faith and generosity !
How many a sweetness will his rage condemn
If he by chance may slaughter Love with them !
We, while such Innocents his lusts destroy,
Certain of our intent, adore the Boy !



IV

But now returned, Jew not Egyptian,
He seeks retirement where to grow a man.
Behold, thy body's Galilee ! thine eyes
A Nazareth none after may despise !
And there he dwells, upon those temples plays.
Or rests from racing in thy fingers' maze
Between those breasts, and still in clasp or kiss
Grows to the after manhood which is his.
(74)



The Christian Year

Whence comes it that some later shall declare
They saw the parentage whereto he's heir,
Saying, ' His mother (this fair face) we knew ;
His brethren, work, sleep, drink, and others, too ! '
Or else, ' Can soul's good out of body come ? '
But how should all such simpletons be dumb.
