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Edward Farr, ed. Select Poetry of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1845.

Nativitie

II. John Donne

IMMENSITIE cloystered in thy deare wombe,

Now leaves his wel-belov’d imprisonment;

There he hath made himselfe to his intent

Weake enough now into our world to come;

But O! for thee, for him hath th’ inne no roome?

Yet lay him in this stall, and from the Orient

Starres and wise men will travell to prevent

Th’ effects of Herod’s jealous general doome:

Seest thou, my soule, with thy faith’s eyes, how he

Which fils all place, yet none holds him, doth lye?

Was not his pitty towards thee wondrous high,

That would have need to be pittied by thee?

Kisse him, and with him into Egypt goe,

With his kinde mother, who partakes thy woe.