Ii

Towards evening, like a shining star, Sweet Mary wandered from the grove, All wreathed in flowers, There Mount Thabor Just as if wrapped in gold and silver Shone far away so dazzling bright. It blinded all. Then to that Thabor Sweet Mary lifted up her eyes, So mild and holy as they were, And smiled. And then she caught the goat With its gay kid within the grove And ’gan to sing: “Heaven, heaven, O dense forest! I am young and, Gracious God, In Thy heaven Can I rest me, Play with pleasure?” Thus she spoke; Around her once she glanced so sadly And then into her arms she took The kid. She held him firmly And felt so happy as she went Unto the carpenter’s poor hut. She walked along and cuddled kindly And sang and played with the young kid And pressed it to her bosom softly And kissed it. For its part, the kid, As if it were a little kitten, Did not object and did not struggle; It nestled in her bosom, played. For two long miles she danced along With that sweet kid still in her arms And was not wearied. The old man Sat sadly ’neath the hedge and sought Her as if she were his own child; He came to meet her, welcomed her, And softly said: “Where have you been? My poor, dear child, please let me know! Let us go in the house and rest And have our supper there together With a delightful visitor. Let us go, daughter.” “Who is he, This new-come guest?” “From Nazareth He has come down to spend the night, And says, ‘The grace of God is come Upon the old Elizabeth. ’Twas yester morn it has occurred For yesterday,’ he says, ‘she bore A son and aged Zachariah Has called him by the name of John.’ That’s what he says....” The guest, relaxing, Well washed, now came out of the house, Dressed only in a tunic white. He shone like any flaming star. He paused majestic on the threshold, Made a low bow, and then he greeted Sweet Mary calmly. It seemed strange And wondrous too. The guest stood there And gleamed with more than human gleam. On him one glance did Mary cast And trembled and she turned away. She seemed just like a frightened child And to her aged Joseph turned. Her eyes then asked the youthful guest To enter in (or yet, ’tis better, They led him in.) At once she brought Cool water from the nearby spring And milk and goat’s cheese which she gave To them to have their evening meal. Herself she did not eat or drink, But silently knelt in the hut And looked and looked upon the guest And listened till the stranger spoke And turned his words to her directly. His holy words fell bright and clear Upon the heart of Mary dear, Until they chilled and burned it too. “In all Judea there never was--” So spoke the guest--“in ancient times What now is seen, for a new rabbi, A rabbi with a flaming word, Is coming now upon the meadow. His words grow swiftly and will bear A rich and overflowing crop, A holy seed. I go to preach A new Messiah to the people!” Then Mary prayed a silent prayer To the apostle. On the hearth The fire blazes soft and low And righteous Joseph sits alone And thinks ... By now the evening star Has risen brightly in the heavens. Then Mary rose and took the pitcher To fetch fresh water from the spring. The stranger followed and caught up With Mary in the deep ravine.

At dawn, while it was cool, they led Th’ evangelist to that same sea And joyful were they in their hearts And joyously they made their way Unto their home.