Page:Songs, Legends, and Ballads.djvu/98

86 The Lord is with thee, and among the nations
 * Forever blessed is thy chosen name."

The angel vanished, and the Lord's high Presence
 * With untold glory to the Virgin came.

A season passed of joy unknown to mortals,
 * When Joseph came with what his foil had won,

And broke the brooding ecstasy of Mary,
 * Whose soul was ever with her promised Son.

But nature's jealous fears encircled Joseph,
 * And round his heart in darkening doubts held sway.

He looked upon his spouse cold-eyed, and pondered
 * How he could put her from his sight away.

And once, when moody thus within his garden.
 * The gentle girl besought for some ripe fruit

That hung beyond her reach, the old man answered.
 * With face averted, harshly to her suit:

"I will not serve thee, woman I Thou hast wronged me: