ST. MARY MAGDALEN'S SAILING
I
Very lovely art thou on thy craft,
That hath neither sail nor oar,
Nor of any food a store.
Lovely art thou on thy craft!
II
Lovely art thou on thy craft!
Mary Magdalen, no fear,
He who rules the winds is near,
Jesus Christ is sleeping aft.
III
Lovely art thou on thy craft!
And thou art not starved in mien;
Thou art catered for, a queen;
Thou of richest wine hast quaffed.
IV
To Provence now thou dost waft—
Preachest at Marseilles awhile—
Preaching is not in thy style.
Oh, for solitude a draught!
V
Christ doth lift thee up, and waft
Softly to a mountain-cave,
There thou prayest, wild and brave,
And the people hold thee daft.
VI
Lovelier than on thy craft
Art thou on thy mountain-stone,
For us, sinners, making moan;
Lovelier than on thy craft.
VII
Pray for us that we may be
To the mountain-heights set free!
Mary Magdalen, most sweet,
Pray that we may kiss His Feet!
