On the Infancy of Our Saviour

Hail, blessed virgin, full of heavenly grace,

Blest above all that sprang from human race,

Whose heaven-saluted womb brought forth in one

A blessed saviour and a blessed son.

O what a ravishment had been to see

Thy little saviour perking on thy knee!

To see him nuzzle in thy virgin breast,

His milk-white body all unclad, undressed;

To see thy busy fingers clothe and wrap

His spraddling limbs in thy indulgent lap;

To see his desperate eyes with childish grace

Smiling upon his smiling mother’s face;

And when his forward strength began to bloom

To see him diddle up and down the room.

O who would think so sweet a babe as this

Should ere be slain by a false-hearted kiss?

Had I a rag, if sure thy body wore it,

Pardon, sweet babe, I think I should adore it;

Till then, O grant this boon, a boon far dearer:

The weed not being, I may adore the wearer.