Page:Apocryphal Gospels and Other Documents Relating to the History of Christ.djvu/44

 
Sweet Jesus went down to yonder town,
As far as the Holy Well,
And there did see as fine children
As any tongue can tell.

He said, "God bless you everyone;
May Christ your portion be!
Little children shall I play with you,
And you shall play with me?"

But they jointly answered, "No;"
They were lords' and ladies' sons,
And he the meanest of them all,
Was born in an ox's stall.

Sweet Jesus turned him around,
And he neither laughed nor smiled;
But tears came trickling from his eyes
Like water from the skies.

Sweet Jesus turned him about,
To his mother's dear home went he.
And said, "I have been in yonder town,
As far as you can see.

"I have been down to yonder town,
As far as the Holy Well;
There did I meet as fine children
As any tongue can tell.

"I bid God bless them every one.
And their bodies Christ save and see;
Little children, shall I play with you,
And you shall play with me?

But they answered me, 'No,'
They were lords' and ladies' sons,
And I the meanest of them all,
Was born in an ox's stall."