Ethel Allen Murphy

“ The Madonna of the Magnificat, by Botticelli
Click to see a modern version of this image
[21]
A BOTTICELLI MADONNA I THE WONDERING ANGELS
Behold! the Tabernacle of God's Will
This woman's form enshrineth. What is this,
More glorious than all our age-long bliss,
Which shines within the shadow of her sill?
How shall we lift this strangeness which doth fill
Her human heart to breaking,—we who miss
In our immortal joy, the enlight'ning kiss
Of sorrow's bitter lips whence comforts thrill? ”

“ Thou who dost gaze on Beauty's unveiled face,
Grant to Thy children Thy sustaining grace,
When low at length have run the daylight sands,—
When, though their day was set to Thy commands,
They bow contritely in prayer's holy place,
Because through strivings beauty-wards they trace
The sad misshapings of their earthly hands:
Grant them at eve a soul devoutly still,
Grant them in dreams a vision of Thy light,
Grant them at morn a sorrow purged away
Into the peace of all-absolving night,
Star in the dawnlight of a fairer day,
Nearer the blossom of Thy perfect Will. ”