W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895.
The Child Jesus
Thomas Toke Lynch (18181871)T
With brawl and pleasure wild,
When in the midst, His love to show,
God set a child.
For pride their heart beguiled;
They said, each looking on his book,
‘We want no child.’
Around their wealth lay piled;
Said they, ‘’Tis gold alone prevails;
We want no child.’
Disdainfully they smiled,
And said, ‘Can babes the shield support?
We want no child.’
Alas, and some reviled;
All cried, as to the dance they rushed,
‘We want no child.’
With voices harsh or mild,
Said, ‘Hope to us returns no more;
We want no child.’
With consciences defiled,
Said, ‘Let the old truth still be heard;
We want no child.’
So blinded and beguiled,
Thou must become for thy repair
A holy child.
Thy second hope has smiled;
Thou mayest, though sin and trouble worn,
Be made a child.’