Page:Poems Tynan.djvu/131

And once his manger was
 Empty and bare, and brown.
(Praise God for sweet, dry grass
 That Bethlehem folk shook down!)

"Consider, brethren," said he,
 "Our little brother; how mild,
How patient, he will be,
 Though men are fierce and wild.
His coat is gray and fine,
 His eyes are kind with love;
This little brother of mine
 Is gentle as the dove.

"Consider how such an one
 Beheld our Saviour born,
And carried him, full-grown,
 Through Eastern streets one morn.
For this the Cross is laid
 Upon him for a sign.
Greatly is honoured
 This little brother of mine."

And even while he spake,
 Down in his stable stall
His little ass 'gan shake
 And turned its face to the wall.
Down fell the heavy tear;
 Its gaze so mournful was,
Fra Leo, standing near,
 Pitied the little ass.

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