ANTHOLOGY OF MASSACHUSETTS POETS (49)

    MARY, the Christ long slain¹, passed silently. Following the children joyously² astir Under the cedrus and the olive tree, Pausing to let their laughter float to her. Each voice an echo of a voice more dear, She saw a little Christ in every face； When lo, another woman, gliding³ near, Yearned⁴ o'er the tender life that filled the place. And Mary sought the woman's hand, and spoke⁵： "I know thee not, yet know thy memory tossed With all a thousand dreams their eyes evoke⁶ Who bring to thee a child beloved and lost.

    "I, too, have rocked my little one, O, He was fair！ Yea, fairer than the fairest sun, And like its rays through amber⁷ spun⁸ His sun-bright hair. Still I can see it shine and shine." "Even so," the woman said,"was mine."

    "His ways were ever darling ways,"- And Mary smiled,—— "So soft, so clinging！ Glad relays Of love were all His precious days. My little child！ My infinite star！ My music fled！" "Even so was mine," the woman said.

    Then whispered Mary： "Tell me, thou, Of thine." And she： "O, mine was rosy⁹ as a boug

    Blooming with roses, sent, somehow, To bloom for me！ His balmy fingers left a thrill Within my breast that warms me still."

    Then gazed she down some wilder, darker hour, And said, when Mary questioned, knowing not, "Who art thou, mother of so sweet a flower？" "I am the mother of Iscariot."