23. The Purification

Joy! Joy! the Mother comes,
And in her arms she brings
The Light of all the world,
The Christ, the King of Kings:
And in her heart the while
All silently she sings.

Saint Joseph follows near.
In rapture lost and love.
While angels round about
In glowing circles move.
And o'er the Mother broods
The Everlasting Dove.

There in the temple court
Old Simeon's heart beats high,
And Anna feeds her soul
With food of prophecy;
But, see! the shadows pass,
The world's true Light draws nigh.

O Infant God! O Christ!
O Light most Ix'autiful!
Thou com est, Joy of Joys!
All darkness to annul;
And brightest lights of earth
Beside Thy Light are dull,

O Mary! bear Him quick
Into His temple gate,
For poor, impatient souls
His healing sunrise wait;
And pay His price that He
May be emancipate.

Yes! thou wilt set Him free;
He will be wholly ours,
To lighten every soul
In earth's benighted bowers,
Undoing Adam's curse.
And turning thorns to flowers.

Ah with what thrills of awe
The Mother's heart is teeming.
To think the newborn light
That o'er the world is streaming
At His own Mother's hand
Should stoop to need redeeming.

Thf n to that Mother now
All rightful worship be!
For thou hast ransomed Him
Who first did ransom thee;
Oh, with thy Mother's tongue
Pray Him to ransom me!