 | Ad Matrem |  |
27
XII.
Next to the house in Nazareth, a shed
Contained a bench, a vice, and workman's tools;
Saws, planes and adzes, chisels, squares and rules.
And here Saint Joseph toiled for each day's bread.
Contained a bench, a vice, and workman's tools;
Saws, planes and adzes, chisels, squares and rules.
And here Saint Joseph toiled for each day's bread.
Mary is busy sewing. Jesus stands
Beside Saint Joseph, working through the day.
He did not come into the world to play
At being man, but worked with both His hands.
Beside Saint Joseph, working through the day.
He did not come into the world to play
At being man, but worked with both His hands.
Joseph has taught Him how to use the plumb
And spirit-level; bradawls, bits and brace;
He does not let Him use the axe, in case
He might chop off a finger or a thumb.
And spirit-level; bradawls, bits and brace;
He does not let Him use the axe, in case
He might chop off a finger or a thumb.
Thus He who built the world now condescends
To learn the joiner's trade, and handle saws
And chisels for His bread, who made the laws
Which guide a million planets to their ends.
To learn the joiner's trade, and handle saws
And chisels for His bread, who made the laws
Which guide a million planets to their ends.
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