Page:Dreams and Images.djvu/218

 THE BABE OF BETHLEHEM

O cruel manger, how bleak, how bleak! For the limbs of the Babe, my God; Soft little limbs on the cold, cold straw; Weep, O eyes, for thy God!

Bitter ye winds in the frosty night Upon the Babe, my God, Piercing the torn and broken thatch; Lament, O heart, for thy God!

Bare is the floor, how bare, how bare For the Babe's sweet mother, my God; Only a stable for mother and Babe; How cruel thy world, my God!

Cast out, cast out, by his brother men Unknown the Babe, my God; The ox and the ass alone are there; Soften, O heart, for thy God!

Dear little arms and sweet little hands, That stretch for thy mother, my God; Soft baby eyes to the mother's eyes; Melt, O heart, for thy God!

Waxen touches on mother's heart, Fingers of the Babe, my God; Dear baby lips to her virgin breast, The virgin mother of God.