Amenophis and Other Poems Sacred and Secular :: :: University of Virginia Library

Baby fair, that know'st not yet
If the sun be risen or set;
Know'st not yet of mother's love,
Man on earth, or God above;
Who thou art, or why we here
Bear this lamb-like burden dear;—
—Yet the Eternal Counsels hold
All within the holy fold
Thine appointed place, which we
Come in faith to claim for thee.

As the ark that safely bore
Noah the gray billows o'er;
As the ocean-gates outspread
Before Israel when he fled;
As, where Jordan waters run,
God to us reveal'd the Son;
So, His child, thy tender flesh
Takes the saving sign afresh,
Love confirming love bestow'd
When the fount of Calvary flow'd.

Mystic sign of things unseen,
What will be, and what has been!
Things from mortal sense more far,
Yet more true than sun or star!
Mystic Names of Three in One,
That, as age on age has run,
Heard by man in earthly place,
Echo through the spaceless space!
Heaven around the helpless head!
Child in God initiated!

—Mighty Saviour, by Whose hand
Earth was framed as Wisdom plann'd;
Thou Who cam'st by mortal birth,
Child with children once on earth,—
By the days of Manhood here,
By the vacant sepulchre,
By the glory-seat on high,—
By the sudden, speechless cry
Of this suppliant at Thy Throne,
Call our Child Thy very own!

Bid the baby-soul complete
All its birthright promise sweet:
Steadfast faith, emblazon'd sure
On the unfurrow'd forehead pure:
Eyes of hope, and smiles that move
O'er the deep, deep heart of love.

—O fair dawning, if the light,
Widen on to Heaven's height!
If the flower in Him have root
Who alone gives life and fruit!

Thou, all knowing, well hast known,—
As we kneel before the Throne,
With what ardency of prayer
We give baby to Thy care!
Clasp Thy faithful Arms to hold
This white inmate of the fold;
Safe through trial-storms of woe,
Snares of sin that smile below,
Safe across life's troublesome sea,
Heaven-haven'd safe with Thee.