Poems of James Clarence Mangan (Many hitherto uncollected): Centenary edition: Edited, with preface and notes by D. J. O'Donoghue: Introduction by John Mitchel |
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HOLINESS TO THE LORD. |
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 | Poems of James Clarence Mangan |  |
HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
There blooms a beautiful Flower; it blooms in a far-off land;
Its life has a mystic meaning, for few to understand.
Its leaves illumine the valley, its odour scents the wood;
And if evil men come near it they grow for the moment good.
Its life has a mystic meaning, for few to understand.
Its leaves illumine the valley, its odour scents the wood;
And if evil men come near it they grow for the moment good.
When the winds are tranced in slumber, the rays of this luminous Flower
Shed glory more than earthly o'er lake, and hill, and bower;
The hut, the hall, the palace, yea, Earth's forsakenest sod,
Shine out in the wondrous lustre that fills the Heaven of God.
Shed glory more than earthly o'er lake, and hill, and bower;
The hut, the hall, the palace, yea, Earth's forsakenest sod,
Shine out in the wondrous lustre that fills the Heaven of God.
Three kings came once to a hostel, wherein lay the Flower so rare:
A star shone over its roof, and they knelt adoring there.
Whenever thou seest a damsel, whose young eyes dazzle and win,
O, pray that her heart may cherish this Flower of Flowers within!
A star shone over its roof, and they knelt adoring there.
Whenever thou seest a damsel, whose young eyes dazzle and win,
O, pray that her heart may cherish this Flower of Flowers within!
| Poems of James Clarence Mangan | |