THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT
I know the babies lie at rest,
Each rosy on its mother's breast,
Wherein love makes the tenderest nest.
O hard-heart little town,
Each rosy on its mother's breast,
Wherein love makes the tenderest nest.
O hard-heart little town,
That bade my dearest in her need
Take refuge in the cattle-shed,
And gave her sweetest Son for bed
The cattle's manger brown.
Take refuge in the cattle-shed,
And gave her sweetest Son for bed
The cattle's manger brown.
Nevertheless sleep well, and far
Away from thee those cries of war!
Sleep sweetly under the Birthnight Star
Until the cock shall crow.
Away from thee those cries of war!
Sleep sweetly under the Birthnight Star
Until the cock shall crow.
The while I hear, as soft as love,
The tender breathing of my dove,
And the dear Babe her heart above
Breathing so soft and low.
[A radiance floateth in his dream, in the midst
of which appeareth the Angel of the
Lord.
The tender breathing of my dove,
And the dear Babe her heart above
Breathing so soft and low.
[A radiance floateth in his dream, in the midst
of which appeareth the Angel of the
Lord.
The Angel.
Joseph, arise! no time for sleep,
If thou thy trust with God wouldst keep.
Leave Bethlehem town to wail and weep,
But thou, up and away!
If thou thy trust with God wouldst keep.
Leave Bethlehem town to wail and weep,
But thou, up and away!
Take Mother and Child, and ride in haste
Across the desert still and vast.
Across the desert still and vast.
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