Page:The Christian Year 1887.djvu/186



O happy arms, where cradled lies, And ready for the Lord's embrace, That precious sacrifice, The darling of His grace!

Blest eyes, that see the smiling gleam Upon the slumbering features glow, When the life-giving stream Touches the tender brow!

Or when the holy cross is signed, And the young soldier duly sworn, With true and fearless mind To serve the Virgin-born.

But happiest ye, who sealed and blest Back to your arms your treasure take, With Jesus' mark impressed To nurse for Jesus' sake:

To whom—as if in hallowed air Ye knelt before some awful shrine - His innocent gestures wear A meaning half divine:

By whom Love's daily touch is seen In strengthening form and freshening hue, In the fixed brow serene, The deep yet eager view. -

Who taught thy pure and even breath To come and go with such sweet grace? Whence thy reposing Faith, Though in our frail embrace?

O tender gem, and full of Heaven! Not in the twilight stars on high, Not in moist flowers at even See we our God so nigh.

Sweet one, make haste and know Him too, Thine own adopting Father love, That like thine earliest dew Thy dying sweets may prove.