The poetical works of Robert Stephen Hawker Edited from the original manuscripts and annotated copies together with a prefatory notice and bibliography by Alfred Wallis |
 |
A CHRIST-CROSS RHYME. |
 |
 | The poetical works of Robert Stephen Hawker |  |
A CHRIST-CROSS RHYME.
Christ His Cross shall be my speed,
Teach me, Father John, to read:
That in church on holy day,
I may chant the psalm and pray.
Teach me, Father John, to read:
That in church on holy day,
I may chant the psalm and pray.
137
Let me learn, that I may know
What the shining windows show:
Where the lovely Lady stands,
With that bright Child in her hands.
What the shining windows show:
Where the lovely Lady stands,
With that bright Child in her hands.
Teach me letters, A, B, C,
Till that I shall able be
Signs to know and words to frame,
And to spell sweet Jesus' Name.
Till that I shall able be
Signs to know and words to frame,
And to spell sweet Jesus' Name.
Then, dear Master, will I look,
Day and night in that fair book,
Where the tales of saints are told,
With their pictures, all in gold.
Day and night in that fair book,
Where the tales of saints are told,
With their pictures, all in gold.
Teach me, Father John, to say
Vesper-verse and matin-lay:
So when I to God shall plead,
Christ His Cross shall be my speed.
Vesper-verse and matin-lay:
So when I to God shall plead,
Christ His Cross shall be my speed.
1845.
| The poetical works of Robert Stephen Hawker | |