27
ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST
Thou darling of the Master's heart, what gift for thee were best,
Who liest at the Paschal board upon that Master's breast?
A wondrous gift shall come to thee, thou highly favoured one,
A gift of worth untold, beneath to-morrow's darkened sun.
Oh, in thy depth of love and woe, to-morrow thou shalt be
With her, the Mother of thy Lord, by His Redemption Tree.
Thy mother, John, had craved for thee by Him a royal seat:
This mother sees thee standing now below His bleeding feet.
And He, whose plenitude of love knows neither stint nor thrift,
Shall give to thee, His well-beloved, His Mother for a gift.
Behold thy Mother! Thus, in thee, to all His ransomed ones,
Mother, behold thy son! Behold thine own unnumbered sons!
