A CANDLEMAS DIALOGUE.

“Love brought Me down; and cannot love make thee

Carol for joy to Me?

Hear cheerful robin carol from his tree,

Who owes not half to Me

I won for thee.”

“Yea, Lord, I hear his carol's wordless voice;

And well may he rejoice

Who hath not heard of death's discordant noise.

So might I too rejoice

With such a voice.”

“True, thou hast compassed death; but hast not thou

The tree of life's own bough?

Am I not Life and Resurrection now?

My Cross balm-bearing bough

For such as thou?”

“Ah me, Thy Cross!— but that seems far away;

Thy Cradle-song to-day

I too would raise, and worship Thee and pray:

Not empty, Lord, to-day

Send me away.”

“If thou wilt not go empty, spend thy store;

And I will give thee more,

Yea, make thee ten times richer than before.

Give more and give yet more

Out of thy store.”

“Because Thou givest me Thyself, I will

Thy blessed word fulfil,

Give with both hands, and hoard by giving still;

Thy pleasure to fulfil,

And work Thy Will.”