Page:The Christian Year 1887.djvu/160




 * And the Angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.  St. Luke i. 28.

Oh! Thou who deign'st to sympathise With all our frail and fleshly ties, Maker yet Brother dear, Forgive the too presumptuous thought, If, calming wayward grief, I sought To gaze on Thee too near.

Yet sure 'twas not presumption, Lord, 'Twas Thine own comfortable word That made the lesson known: Of all the dearest bonds we prove, Thou countest sons and mothers' love Most sacred, most Thine own.

When wandering here a little span, Thou took'st on Thee to rescue man, Thou had'st no earthly sire: That wedded love we prize so dear, As if our heaven and home were here, It lit in Thee no fire.

On no sweet sister's faithful breast Wouldst Thou Thine aching forehead rest, On no kind brother lean: But who, O perfect filial heart, E'er did like Thee a true son's part, Endearing, firm, serene?

Thou wept'st, meek maiden, mother mild, Thou wept'st upon thy sinless Child, Thy very heart was riven: And yet, what mourning matron here Would deem thy sorrows bought too dear By all on this side Heaven?

A Son that never did amiss, That never shamed His Mother's kiss, Nor crossed her fondest prayer: E'en from the tree He deigned to bow, For her His agonised brow, Her, His sole earthly care.