Classic Poem

Mary sings: the ravished heavens
Hush the music of their spheres;
Soft her voice, her beauty fairer
Than the glancing stars appears:
While to Jesus, slumbering nigh,
Thus she sings her lullaby:

" Sleep my Babe, my God, my Treasure,
Gently sleep: but ah, the sight
With its beauty so transports me,
I am dying of delight:
Thou canst not thy Mother see,
Yet thou breathest flames to me.

" If within your lids unfolded,
Slumbering eyes, you seem so fair;
When upon my gaze you open,
How shall I your beauty bear?
Ah, I tremble when you wake,
Lest my heart with love should break.

" Cheeks, than sweetest roses sweeter,
Mouth, where lurks a smile divine —
Though the kiss my Babe should waken,
I must press those lips to mine:
Pardon, Dearest, if I say —
Mother's love will take no Nay."

As she ceased, the gentle Virgin
Clasped the Infant to her breast;
And upon his radiant forehead
Many a loving kiss impressed:
Jesus woke, and on her face
Fixed a look of heavenly grace.

Ah, that look, those eyes, that beauty,
How they pierce the Mother's heart;
Shafts of love from every feature
Through her gentle bosom dart:
Heart of stone — can I behold
Mary's love, and still be cold?

Where, my soul, thy sense, thy reason?
When will these delays be o'er?
All things else, how fair so ever,
Are but smoke: resist no more.
Yes, 'tis done: I yield my arms
Captive to those double charms.

If alas, O heavenly Beauty,
Now so late those charms I learn,
Now at least, and ever, ever
With thy love my heart will burn,
For the Mother and the Child —
Rose and Lily undefiled.

Plant and Fruit, and Fruit and Blossom —
I am theirs and they are mine;
For no other prize I labour,
For no other bliss I pine;
Love can every pain requite,
Love alone is full delight.