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Title: A Nativity
Author: Rudyard Kipling [
More Titles by Kipling]
1916
_The Babe was laid in the Manger
Between the gentle kine--
All safe from cold and danger--_
'But it was not so with mine.
(With mine! With mine!)
'Is it well with the child, is it well?'
The waiting mother prayed.
'For I know not how he fell,
And I know not where he is laid.'
_A Star stood forth in Heaven,
The watchers ran to see
The Sign of the Promise given--_
'But there comes no sign to me.
(To me! To me!)
'_My_ child died in the dark.
Is it well with the child, is it well?
There was none to tend him or mark,
And I know not how he fell.'
_The Cross was raised on high;
The Mother grieved beside--_
'But the Mother saw Him die
And took Him when He died.
(He died! He died!)
'Seemly and undefiled
His burial-place was made--
Is it well, is it well with the child?
For I know not where he is laid.'
_On the dawning of Easter Day
Comes Mary Magdalene;
But the Stone was rolled away,
And the Body was not within--_
(Within! Within!)
'Ah, who will answer my word?'
The broken mother prayed.
'They have taken away my Lord,
And I know not where He is laid.'
* * * * *
_The Star stands forth in Heaven.
The watchers watch in vain
For a Sign of the Promise given
Of peace on Earth again--_
(Again! Again!)
'But I know for Whom he fell'--
The steadfast mother smiled
'Is it well with the child--is it well?
It is well--it is well with the child!'
[The end]
Rudyard Kipling's poem: Nativity
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