CXXVII THE NATIVITY

Thou cam'st from Heaven to Earth, that we

Might go from Earth to Heaven with Thee:

And though Thou found'st no welcome here,

Thou didst provide us mansions there.

A stable was Thy Court, and when

Men turn'd to beasts, beasts would be men:

They were Thy courtiers; others none;

And their poor manger was Thy throne.

No swaddling silks Thy limbs did fold,

Though Thou couldst turn Thy rags to gold.

No rockers waited on Thy birth,

No cradles stirr'd, nor songs of mirth;

But Her chaste lap and sacred breast,

Which lodged Thee first, did give Thee rest.