ST. AUSTIN AND THE CHILD
"The night that I was born
The ass and ox alone,
Betwixt the midnight and the morn,
Knelt down upon the stone.
The ass and ox alone,
Betwixt the midnight and the morn,
Knelt down upon the stone.
"The bitter night I came,
Each star sang in its sphere.
Now riddle, riddle me my name,
My Austin tried and dear."
Each star sang in its sphere.
Now riddle, riddle me my name,
My Austin tried and dear."
Austin is on his face,
Before that vision bright.
"My Lord, what dost Thou in this place
With such a sinful wight?"
Before that vision bright.
"My Lord, what dost Thou in this place
With such a sinful wight?"
"I come not here in wrath,
But I come here in love,
My Austin, skilled in life and death,
Thy vanity to prove.
But I come here in love,
My Austin, skilled in life and death,
Thy vanity to prove.
"Mortal, yet over-bold
To fly where th' eagle flies,
As soon this cup the sea will hold
As thou My Mysteries.
To fly where th' eagle flies,
As soon this cup the sea will hold
As thou My Mysteries.
"Patience a little yet,
And thou shalt be with Me,
And in thy soul's small cup unmeet
Myself will pour the sea."
And thou shalt be with Me,
And in thy soul's small cup unmeet
Myself will pour the sea."
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