- A Nativity
- 1914-18
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- The Babe was laid in the Manger
- Between the gentle kine
- All safe from cold and danger
'
- But it was nor so with mine,
- (With mine! With mine!)
- 'Is it well with the child, is it well?"
- The waiting mother prayed
- ."For I know not how he fell,
- And I know nor where he is laid.
-
- "A Star stood forth in Heaven:
- The watchers ran to see
- The Sign of the Promise given-
- "But there comes no sign to me.
- (To me! To me!)
- "My child died in the dark.
- Is it well with the child, is it well?
- There was none to rend him or mark,
- And I know nor how he fell."
-
- The cross was raised on high:
- The Mother grieved beside-
- "But the Mother saw Him die
- And took Him when He died.
- (He died! He died!)
- "Seemly and undefiled
- His burial-place was made-
- Is it well, is it well with the child?
-
- On the dawning of Easter Day
- Comes Mary Magdalene:
- But the Stone was rolled away,
- And the Body was not within-
- (Within! Within!)
- "Ah, who will answer my word?"
- The broken mother prayed.
- "They have taken my Lord,
- And I know nor where He is laid."
-
- The Star stands forth in Heaven.
- The watchers watch in vain
- For Sign if the Promise given
- Of peace on Earth again-
- (Again! Again!)
- "'But I know for Whom he fell"-
- The steadfast mother smiled,
- "Is it well with the child-is it well?
- It is well-it is well with the child!''
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- Rudyard Kipling
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