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 | The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere |  |
26
XXII. FEST. PRESENTATIONIS.
Twelve years had passed, and, still a child
In brightness of the unblemished face,
Once more she scaled those steps, and smiled
On Him who slept in her embrace.
In brightness of the unblemished face,
Once more she scaled those steps, and smiled
On Him who slept in her embrace.
As in she passed there fell a calm
On all: each bosom slowly rose
Like the long branches of the palm
When under them the south wind blows:
On all: each bosom slowly rose
Like the long branches of the palm
When under them the south wind blows:
The scribe forgot his wordy lore;
The chanted psalm was heard far off;
Hushed was the clash of golden ore;
And hushed the Sadducean scoff.
The chanted psalm was heard far off;
Hushed was the clash of golden ore;
And hushed the Sadducean scoff.
Type of the Church, the gift was thine!
'Twas thine to offer first, that hour,
Thy Son—the Sacrifice Divine,
The Church's everlasting dower!
'Twas thine to offer first, that hour,
Thy Son—the Sacrifice Divine,
The Church's everlasting dower!
Great Priestess! round that aureoled brow
Which cloud or shadow ne'er had crossed,
Began there not thenceforth to grow
A milder dawn of Pentecost?
Which cloud or shadow ne'er had crossed,
Began there not thenceforth to grow
A milder dawn of Pentecost?
| The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere | |