3.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock.”
As Thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb,
Nor the cold uncouth manger, and the stall
Of the rude hinds and bleating animal,
Nor childhood's bands and Nazareth's low room,
Nor touch of unclean sinner, nor the gloom
Of Ades, nor the over-hanging cave,
Shrouding Thee round with darkness of the grave;
But as the Sun vile places doth illume
Untainted by the foulness, so didst Thou,
Loving that lowliness which stoop'd so low
From the Heaven of Heavens, still lowlier love to bow
To meanest things on earth, yet take no stain.—
Then wilt Thou not a humble Guest e'en deign
To enter my poor heart, and there remain?
