HEN the footsteps of the New
On the Old were pressing,
One who knew my life to be
Aching for a blessing
Gave the Clay-child, sleeping here,
To my fond caressing.
THE CLAY-CHILD.
![W](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f4/IllumPoemsAllenW.png/65px-IllumPoemsAllenW.png)
On the Old were pressing,
One who knew my life to be
Aching for a blessing
Gave the Clay-child, sleeping here,
To my fond caressing.
Clipping first the folded wings
Crossed its round throat under,
Lest, grown weary of my care,
It might choose to wander
Back into the purple light
Of the far heaven yonder.
Crossed its round throat under,
Lest, grown weary of my care,
It might choose to wander
Back into the purple light
Of the far heaven yonder.
Saying, "In the nurture true
Of your soul-love rear it;
Let no rude or evil thing
Ever linger near it;
Keep as now its perfectness
Pure, in face and spirit."
Of your soul-love rear it;
Let no rude or evil thing
Ever linger near it;
Keep as now its perfectness
Pure, in face and spirit."
So I took it to my head
With a mother's yearning,
Loving it with heart and eyes,
Asking no returning,—
Loving it with many tears,
Yet no answer earning.
With a mother's yearning,
Loving it with heart and eyes,
Asking no returning,—
Loving it with many tears,
Yet no answer earning.
Born of Peace, for which my soul
Pineth, all ungifted,
Never are thy drooping lids
O my Clay-child, lifted,—
Never is the mystic veil
Which divides us rifted.
Pineth, all ungifted,
Never are thy drooping lids
O my Clay-child, lifted,—
Never is the mystic veil
Which divides us rifted.
Wherefore, though my prayerful knee
Never may be bended,
Thou shalt be my silent prayer,
Prayer with patience blended.
Through thy lips I ask thy peace,
Perfect, heaven-descended!
Never may be bended,
Thou shalt be my silent prayer,
Prayer with patience blended.
Through thy lips I ask thy peace,
Perfect, heaven-descended!