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 | The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere |  |
XXV. LEGENDA.
As, flying Herod, southward went
That Child and Mother, unamazed,
Into Egyptian banishment,
The weeders left their work, and gazed.
That Child and Mother, unamazed,
Into Egyptian banishment,
The weeders left their work, and gazed.
That bright One spake to them, and said,
‘When Herod's messengers demand,
Passed not that Infant, Herod's dread,—
Passed not that Infant through your land?
‘When Herod's messengers demand,
Passed not that Infant, Herod's dread,—
Passed not that Infant through your land?
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‘Then shall ye answer make, and say,
Behold, since first the corn was green
No little Infant passed this way;
No little Infant we have seen.’
Behold, since first the corn was green
No little Infant passed this way;
No little Infant we have seen.’
Earth heard; nor missed the Maid's intent—
As on the Flower of Eden passed
With Eden swiftness up she sent
A sun-browned harvest ripening fast.
As on the Flower of Eden passed
With Eden swiftness up she sent
A sun-browned harvest ripening fast.
By simplest words and sinless wheat
The messengers rode back beguiled;
And by that truthfullest deceit
Which saved the little new-born Child!
The messengers rode back beguiled;
And by that truthfullest deceit
Which saved the little new-born Child!
| The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere | |