Page:Poems for Children Sigourney 1836.pdf/74



When the Redeemer dwelt in clay, The proud, the powerful shunn'd his sway, The scribe and pharisee with frown On him of Nazareth look'd down, And Judah, long with dream elate Of her Messiah's regal state, Beheld the homeless one with hate, And Rome, with haughty mockery ey'd The Man of grief, the crucified.— —But they, the innocent, the blest, In childhood's meekness, sought his breast, Their little feet without a guide Came thronging to his peaceful side, And tho' the cold and stern command Bade them at greater distance stand,