Poetical works.. (1906) (14595216239)

Identifier: poeticalwork00holm (find matches)
Title: Poetical works..
Year: 1906 (1900s)
Authors: Holmes, Oliver Wendell, 1809-1894
Subjects:
Publisher: (n.p.)
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: The Library of Congress



Text Appearing Before Image:
ious child they only sawThe future Rabbi, learned in Israels law.So grew the boy, and now the feast was nearWhen at the Holy Place the tribes appear.Scarce had the home-bred child of Nazareth seenBeyond the hills that girt the village green ;Save when at midnight, oer the starlit Snatched from the steel of Herods mur-dering bands,A babe, close folded to his mothers breast,Through Edoms wilds he sought the sheltering West.Then Joseph spake : Thy boy hath largely grown;Weave him fine raiment, fitting to be shown ;Fair robes beseem the pilgrim, as the priest:Goes he not with us to the holy feast ?And Mary culled the flaxen fibres white;Till eve she spun; she spun till morn-ing light.The thread was twined; its parting meshes throughFrom hand to hand her restless shuttle flew,Till the full web was wound upon the beam;Loves curious toil, — a vest without a seam!They reach the Holy Place, fulfil the daysTo solemn feasting given, and grateful praise.At last they turn, and far Moriahs height
Text Appearing After Image:
PICTURES FROM OCCASIONAL POEMS. 119 Melts in the southern sky and fades from sight.All day the dusky caravan has flowedIn devious trails along the winding road ;(For many a step their homeward path attends,And all the sons of Abraham are as friends.)Evening has come, — the hour of rest and joy, —Hush ! Hush ! That whisper, —Where is Marys boy V0 weary hour! 0 aching days that Filled with strange fears each wilderthan the last, — The soldiers lance, the fierce centurionssword, The crushing wheels that whirl someRoman lord, The midnight crypt that sucks the cap-tives breath, The blistering sun on Hinnoms vale ofdeath !Thrice on his cheek had rained themorning light; Thrice on his lips the mildewed kiss ofnight, Crouched by a sheltering columns shin-ing plinth, Or stretched beneath the odorous tere-binth.At last, in desperate mood, theysought once more The Temples porches, searched in vainbefore ; They found him seated with the ancientmen, — The grim old rufflers of the tongue