fromIn the Holy Nativity of Our Lord God: A Hymn Sung as by the Shepherds
–Richard Crashaw
Welcome, all Wonders in one sight!
Eternity shut in a span.
Summer in Winter, Day in Night.
Heaven in Earth, and God in Man.
Great little one! whose all-embracing birth
Lifts earth to heaven, stoops heav’n to earth.
Welcome, Though nor to gold nor silk,
To more than Caesar’s birthright is;
Two sister-seas of Virgin-milk,
With many a rarely-tempered kiss,
That breathes at once both Maid and Mother,
Warms in the one, cools in the other.
Welcome, though not to those gay flies
Gilded i’th’ beams of earthly kings;
Slippery souls in smiling eyes,
But to poor shepherds, home-spun things:
Whose wealth’s their flock; whose wit, to be
Well read in their simplicity.
Yet when young April’s husband show’rs
Shall bless the fruitful Maia’s bed,
We’ll bring the first-born of her flowers
To kiss thy Feet and crown thy Head.
To thee, dread lamb! whose love must keep
The shepherds; more than they the sheep.
To Thee, meek Majesty! soft King
Of simple Graces and sweet Loves.
Each of us his lamb will bring,
Each his pair of silver Doves;
Till burnt at last in fire of Thy fair eyes,
Our selves become our own best Sacrifice.
