An Anthology of Jugoslav Poetry; Serbian Lyrics Part 22

Yesternight was born a Child, But it pa.s.sed from earth at morn, Unbaptized to heaven's door.

"Open, heavenly watchman, open!"

"Nay, foolish babe, thou must away!

Sinful thou art, away, away!"

"Foolish I am--but sinful, nay; Born yesternight, I died to-day; In the green forest I was born, Where no sponsor, where no priest; Therefore unbaptized I come!"

Then the heavenly watcher answered: "Go thou yet a short way on; Go on, my babe, and thou shalt find Three watersprings; from one to drink, From one to wash, the third a font of blessing.

The first shall breast-milk be to thee; The second is thy mother's tears, And from the third thou shalt baptized be, And joyful entrance gain to heaven."

J. W. W.

CXXII

CHRISTMAS

Why trembleth so the earth, Set in this sphere of blue?

Christ our G.o.d was born hereon, He, the Virgin's Holy Son, Christ Who heaven and earth created, And us sinners on the earth.

In awe when He shall come to judge, We all shall stand before Him then, Both righteous and unrighteous men.

J. W. W.

CXXIII

CHRIST THINKS OF HIS MOTHER

On angel wing in upward flight Rise soul and body of our Lord, When piercing heaven with high gaze, He calleth for one down to go, Down to darksome Golgotha, Where Mary bending near the Cross, Weepeth in bitter agony: "Let herald hasten now to tell her I am risen unto heaven."

Great Michael heard, two angels sent, Swift to convey the tidings glad: "O thou of women all most blest, Let not thy heart with fear be filled; From the tomb thy Son is risen, Risen to the Father's throne, Saving men from Death's dominion."

J. W. W.

CXXIV

THE BLESSED MARY AND JOHN THE BAPTIST

The Blessed Mary sent an angel Unto John the Camel-girdled-- "G.o.d's wish it is, and my wish too, That thou shouldst now my Son baptize."

John went responsive to the river, Down into Jordan with the Christ, And there upon him with his Lord, Open wide the gate of heaven, The roseate sun did light the east, Sign of that Spirit-first of which spake John, Whose purging heat doth purify from sin, And in Jordan's flowing river Man's sin was taken all away!

Our salvation is in heaven!

Save, O G.o.d, all trusting souls, Save them from the devil's toils.

J. W. W.

CXXV

THE HOLY MOTHER

Sadly walked the Holy Mother On the Holy Mountain.

Suddenly espied she something Brightly s.h.i.+ning in the dust: The Cross, it was, of her own Son.

With gentlest hands she caressed it, She did wash it with her tears, And after dried it with her hair.

Kneeling then she uttered prayer.

Speaking to the Holy Cross: "O sweet Cross, thou Cross of honour, Upon thee my Son has died, h.e.l.lish pains on thee He suffered, h.e.l.lish pains from those hot nails, To redeem our sinful souls.

When He did upon thee bleed, His blood it fell in priceless seed, Whence there sprang all lovely flowers, And angels, coming down to gather, Made them into wreathes and garlands That they might adorn all heaven."

J. W. W.

CXXVI

DREAM OF THE HOLY VIRGIN

The Holy Virgin dreaming slept, And in her dream a great tree grew, Its branches from her own heart crept, O'er spreading earth, north, south, east, west, And piercing, spire-like, heaven's blue.

Sore troubled by her dream she rose And sought straightway a saintly brother; "Hear Saint Basil, my brother hear!

Let me tell my vision wondrous I dreamed and lo! a great tree grew, Its branches from my own heart crept, O'erspreading earth north, south, east, west, And towering up through heaven's blue.

What saith this vision Saint, to you?"

Then Basil answered to the Virgin: "O sister dear, thy vision's clear: 'A tree did spring from thy warm heart?'

To bear the Christ shall be thy part.

'Those spreading branches covering all?'

Sinners He'll save from evil's thrall.

'That height spire-piercing heaven's blue?'

To G.o.d the Father Christ shall rise Pa.s.sing from earth and fleshly view."

J. W. W.

CXXVII

MOTHER AT THE TOMB OF HER SON