THE BIRTH

THERE is a legend that the love of God

So quickened under Mary's heart it wrought

Her very maidenhood to holier stuff....

However that may be, the birth befell

Upon a night when all the Syrian stars

Swayed tremulous before one lordlier orb

That rose in gradual splendor,

Paused,

Flooding the firmament with mystic light,

And dropped upon the breathing hills

A sudden music

Like a distillation from its gleams;

A rain of spirit and a dew of song!