Poems (Rossetti, 1901)/A Candlemas Dialogue
A CANDLEMAS DIALOGUE.
"LOVE brought Me down: and cannot love make theeCarol for joy to Me?Hear cheerful robin carol from his tree,Who owes not half to MeI won for thee."
"Yea, Lord, I hear his carol's wordless voice;And well may he rejoiceWho hath not heard of death's discordant noise.So might I too rejoiceWith such a voice."
"True, thou hast compassed death: but hast not thouThe tree of life's own bough?Am I not Life and Resurrection now?My Cross balm-bearing boughFor such as thou."
"Ah me, Thy Cross!but that seems far awayThy Cradle-song to-dayI too would raise and worship Thee and pray:Not empty, Lord, to-daySend me away."
"If thou wilt not go empty, spend thy store;And I will give thee more, Yea, make thee ten times richer than before.Give more and give yet moreOut of thy store."
Because Thou givest me Thyself, I willThy blessed word fulfil,Give with both hands, and hoard by giving still:Thy pleasure to fulfil,And work Thy Will."