22 DECEMBER 1917, Page 12

POETRY.

BABE CHRIST..

(From a Painting by Fi/ItUriCChi0.) HART kneels worshipping the Child she loves,

From His sweet touch a pace or two apart, While Saints and Angels in her prayer take part, And the high Host of Heaven her act approves.

But the poor Babe, unwitting of His state, Of Heaven .bereft and of Hie Father's face,

Yearns only, in their stead, for her embrace, And OD her adoration scarce can wait.

(1 Mary, Mother—take Him to thy breast!

Toward thee, of all His glory dispossest, He leans, and craves no other Heaven as yet.

From that dear contact learn, Thou heart divine, E'en as the mother-heart will learn from Thine, Secrets that God nor man can e'er forget.

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