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162 :I heed no more thy words and actions mild; If fruit thou wantest, thou canst henceforth ask it
 * From him, the father of thy unborn child!"

But ere the words had root within her hearing,
 * The Virgin's face was glorified anew;

And Joseph, turning, sank within her presence,
 * And knew indeed his wondrous dreams were true.

For there before the sandalled feet of Mary
 * The kingly tree had bowed its top, and she

Had pulled and eaten from its prostrate branches,
 * As if unconscious of the mystery.