Poems (Kimball)/The Rose of Jericho
THE ROSE OF JERICHO.
to E. J. P.
YOU love a legend. Here is one:
When Joseph warned in dreams by night
Took Mary and her Blessed Son
And they to Egypt made their flight,
When Joseph warned in dreams by night
Took Mary and her Blessed Son
And they to Egypt made their flight,
As through the desert wild they went
By angels led and undismayed,
A flower sprang up of sweetest scent
Where'er the Virgin's steps were stayed.
By angels led and undismayed,
A flower sprang up of sweetest scent
Where'er the Virgin's steps were stayed.
'T is fabled that this flower since then
Blooms only on some feast-day high,
And chiefly when comes round again
The Feast of Christ's Nativity.
Blooms only on some feast-day high,
And chiefly when comes round again
The Feast of Christ's Nativity.
Be this sweet legend true or no,
'T is true that Mary went that way,
And true the Rose of Jericho
Blooms in my thoughts this Christmas Day.
'T is true that Mary went that way,
And true the Rose of Jericho
Blooms in my thoughts this Christmas Day.
And in the fragrant flower I find,
My darling child, a lesson true;
A sermon and a song enshrined
That I in love unfold for you.
My darling child, a lesson true;
A sermon and a song enshrined
That I in love unfold for you.
When through life's desert places led
By holy angels unaware,
Intent on mercy's deeds you tread
And make God's needy ones your care,
By holy angels unaware,
Intent on mercy's deeds you tread
And make God's needy ones your care,
If in your arms the Christ Child dear
You carry wheresoe'er you go,
In every place earth's wilds to cheer
Will spring the Rose of Jericho.
You carry wheresoe'er you go,
In every place earth's wilds to cheer
Will spring the Rose of Jericho.