<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="" class="head">The Vision of Mary</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">There's</span> a white rose on the thorn,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">A red rose on the tree,</p><p class="line">And Christ is born on Christmas morn</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">That all men may go free.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">The white rose for Mary,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The red rose for her Son;</p><p class="line">When she came down through the sleeping town,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The red and white were one.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Curled like a little moon</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">He shone amid the hay,</p><p class="line">The stars forsake their heavenly track</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">To sing him lullalay.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">She kneels for to adore</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The earth and Heaven's Desire.</p><p class="line">Oh, what is this beneath her kiss</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Throbs like a little fire?</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">In each small hand she sees</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">A red rose-petal lie,</p><p class="line">And while she sees hath little ease</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Lest Herod should draw nigh.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">And when on each small foot</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">She sees the red-rose stain,</p><p class="line">She would snatch him fast unto her breast</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Lest he in snares be ta'en.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Oh, when she sees the smirch</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Of the red rose on His side,</p><p class="line">What sword is in her heart; what dart</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">That will not be denied?</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">What coronal of gems,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Of ruby or coral spine,</p><p class="line">Now, now is laid on His pretty head,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">With His sweet curls doth twine</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">His Mother stoops to kiss</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The wounds of her Baby Son;</p><p class="line">In dreams she sees a high trellis</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And one red rose thereon.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">The sword turns in her heart,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">She clasps Him warm and close,</p><p class="line">With lullaby-loo His fret unto</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">She lulls her Destined Rose.</p></div></body></html> · Great War