Vii

Then in the young boy’s seventh year, (For he already showed great skill) While resting in a corner dark The old man thought about his son, What trade he would adopt in life, What kind of man he would become. He took his pails and other wares And father, mother, and the son Went to the greatest market there, Jerusalem, the capital. The trip was long but there they could Get better prices. So they went. They strayed apart. The parents then Sat down to try and sell their goods. They paid no heed to the young boy. He ran around.... The mother wept And sought her son. There was no hint Of where he was. She went at last Unto a synagogue to pray For his return and there, behold, The child, her child, was sitting there Among the rabbis in the midst And teaching in his innocence How men should live and love their fellows, Should stand for truth and die for truth-- Without truth woe comes! “Woe to you. Ye teachers and ye high priests too!” The Pharisees looked on amazed, The scribes all wondered at his words And great was then the holy joy That Mary felt! For she had seen Messiah, had seen God on earth With her own eyes.... They sold their wares, Then in the temple prayed to God And cheerfully they started home. They made their journey in the night Amid the cool. The Holy Children Grew up together and they learned Some more each day; and both their mothers Were proud and happy when they saw Their children. But they finished school. Then on the thorny path of life They parted; both preached God’s true word, The sacred truth for men on earth. They preached and both were crucified For freedom, sacred freedom true. John made his way into the desert. Thy son--among men; and with him, With thine upright and truthful son, Thou wentst along. In the old hut She left Saint Joseph there alone To live alone among the strangers. She wandered here and wandered there Until at last she reached her goal At Golgotha.