Page:Songs before sunrise (IA beforesunrisongs00swinrich).pdf/76



was she that bare, Hidden in flesh most fair, For all men’s sake the likeness of all love; Holy that virgin’s womb, The old record saith, on whom The glory of God alighted as a dove; Blessed, who brought to gracious birth The sweet-souled Saviour of a man-tormented earth.

But four times art thou blest, At whose most holy breast Four times a godlike soldier-saviour hung; And thence a fourfold Christ Given to be sacrificed To the same cross as the same bosom clung; Poured the same blood, to leave the same Light on the many-folded mountain-skirts of fame.