W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895.

The Woman That Lifted up Her Voice

George MacDonald (1824–1905)

FILLED with his words of truth and right,

Her heart will break or cry:

A woman’s cry bursts forth in might

Of loving agony.

“Blessed the womb, thee, Lord, that bare!

The bosom that thee fed!”

A moment’s silence filled the air

When she the word had said.

He turns his face to meet the cry;

He knows from whence it springs—

A woman’s heart that glad would die

For woman’s best of things.

Such son to bear, such son to rear,

The generations laud.

“Yea, rather, blessed they that hear,

And keep the word of God.”

The tone was love and not rebuke;

But ’mid the murmured stir,

She, sure, was silent in her nook;

No answer came from her.