The Choir and The Oratory | ||
MARY AT THE FEET OF CHRIST.
“For she loved much.”—Luke vii. 47.
When Mary to the Heavenly Guest
Her duteous offering made,
And, faith's allegiance to attest,
Her weeping homage paid;
Her duteous offering made,
And, faith's allegiance to attest,
Her weeping homage paid;
The heavy drops distinctly traced
On his untended feet,
Soon every stain of toil effaced,
And gave Him welcome meet.
On his untended feet,
Soon every stain of toil effaced,
And gave Him welcome meet.
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She with her veil of folding hair
The broidered woof supplied,
And ministered with gentlest care
The rites his host denied.
The broidered woof supplied,
And ministered with gentlest care
The rites his host denied.
Then on that more than regal head,
(Unseen its glory-crown,)
The broken alabaster shed
Its costly incense down.
(Unseen its glory-crown,)
The broken alabaster shed
Its costly incense down.
More precious than her Indian nard
The homage it expressed,—
The humblest, holiest regard,
Her contrite tears confessed.
The homage it expressed,—
The humblest, holiest regard,
Her contrite tears confessed.
So would I bow, ascended King!
And Thy forgiveness move.
No worthy tribute can I bring:
Thou wilt the Giver prove.
And Thy forgiveness move.
No worthy tribute can I bring:
Thou wilt the Giver prove.
So at Thy feet my faith shall live,
By love adoring led;
My heart its broken marble give,
But Thou the perfume shed.
By love adoring led;
My heart its broken marble give,
But Thou the perfume shed.
The Choir and The Oratory | ||