Candlemas

Extract

What they desired to see and have not seen,

Kings in proud purple and emblazoned gold, Apocalyptic prophets stern and lean,

The aged Simeon in his arms may fold Taken from Mary purified by law With Joseph bringing turtle-doves, a pair,

Meet offering of poorness; and in awe Anna the widowed prophetess, and fair Young men and maidens lifting tapers high, Lights for the Light, and wearied men and bent Sharing new wonder at the Infant nigh :

All are beholding Simeon’s high content Foretold, fulfilled the promise that his eyes Should gaze on Christ before they stared at death, Knowing the passing of all prophecies Isaias made, and Daniel, by God’s breath Elect, prevented from erroneous thought Or speech, that He would come, the Son, the Just, Who spoke and leapt the Universe from nought To fill it with a breath from earthly dust,

And spread the sky with Mary’s own rare blue For mantle, and a sun at heaven’s gate To keep the day (He was the only true Sun, born of Maid the Star immaculate),

And for the shepherds on the midnight hill The arc of moon to light the gathered fleece,

And silver waves He softly spoke to still For all who toil at sea, to give them peace.

Now that his eyes have seen the sudden Light Revealed to those who sit among the shade Of death’s grim valleys, he shall claim his right Of swift dismissal; he must surely fade To rest according to his Lord’s decree,