Page:Songs, Legends, and Ballads.djvu/97

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HE day of Joseph's marriage unto Mary,
 * In thoughtful mood he said unto his wife,

"Behold, I go into a far-off country
 * To labor for thee, and to make thy life

And home all sweet and peaceful." And the Virgin
 * Unquestioning beheld her spouse depart:

Then lived she many days of musing gladness.
 * Not knowing that God's hand was round her heart.

And dreaming thus one day within her chamber,
 * She wept with speechless bliss, when lo! the face

Of white-winged angel Gabriel rose before her,
 * And bowing spoke, "Hail I Mary, full of grace,