5. FIRST WAKING. "JESUS saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master." Where young infants lie, "Hard it is, 'mid gifts so sweet But no brighter smiles we meet Than at waking time, When they burst the chains of slumber, And glad fancies without number Nay, but with a moaning sound See the uneasy eye glance round, "But the watcher's look prevailing So when rose on Easter dawn Our all-glorious Sun, You might see Love's eye withdrawn Tears that morn were in her waking, may soothe her soul's sad aching? For her Lord is gone. Him for tears she may not see, Even her soul's delight, Yet full near to her is He. Say, did Hosts of Light Ever breathe in mortals' hearing Tones so soft, so heavenly cheering? Mary," was the word endearing Heaven and earth grew bright. Lo, the Babe spreads out his arms Fain to hide from sad alarms In Love's safe embrace.- "Touch me not till mine ascending," Is the Word of Grace. Love with infant's haste would fain Touch Him and adore, But a deeper holier gain Mercy keeps in store. "Touch Me not: awhile believe Me : Touch Me not till Heaven receive Me, Then draw near and never leave Me, Then I go no more." 6. LOOKING WESTWARD. "God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts." HAD I an infant, Lord, to rear How should I watch in hope and fear When for a bright and conscious gaze And round his own world's little maze, Bright be the spot, and pure the ray, A path of light, a glorious way, O, rich the tint of earthly gold, To soothe him in the unquiet night But bring him where the aerial light His heart at early morn to store But lift him where the Eastern heaven Glows with the Sun unseen, Where the strong wings, to morning given, Brood o'er a world serene. There let him breathe his matin thought, There taste the dew by Angels brought |