Part 4 (1/2)

In sickness--half in sleep--she hears His foot, ere yet that foot is nigh: Wakes with a smile; and scarcely fears, If he but clasp her hand, to die.

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_Mater Filii._

XVII.

Others, the hours of youth gone by, A mother's hearth and home forsake; And, with the need, the filial tie Relaxes, though it does not break.

But Thou wert born to be a Son.

G.o.d's Son in heaven, Thy will was this, To pa.s.s the chain of Sons.h.i.+p on, And bind in one whatever is.

Thou cam'st the _Son_ of Man to be, That so Thy brethren too might bear Adoptive Sons.h.i.+p, and with Thee Thy Sire's eternal kingdom share.

Transcendently the Son Thou art: In this mysterious bond entwine, As in a single, two-celled heart, Thy natures, human and divine.

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_Mater Divinae Gratiae._

XVIII.

”They have no wine.” The tender guest Was grieved their feast should lack for aught.

He seemed to slight her mute request: Not less the grace she wished He wrought.

O great in Love! O full of Grace!

That winds in thee, a river broad, From Christ, with heaven-reflecting face, Gladdening the City of thy G.o.d:--

Be this thy gift: that man henceforth No more should creep through life content (Draining the springs impure of earth) With life's material element.

Let sacraments to sense succeed: Let nought be winning, nought be good Which fails of Him to speak, and bleed Once more with His all-cleansing blood!

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_Mater Divinae Gratiae._

XIX.

The gifts a mother showers each day Upon her softly-clamorous brood: The gifts they value but for play,-- The graver gifts of clothes and food,--