Mother-of-Pearl

Mother-of-pearl out of Bethlehem, Irradiant with all rainbow lights,— Shimmering, shifting opal whites, The June-time rose’s palest fire, The sunset’s most translucent gold,— Delicate as a precious gem Shaped for a lover’s heart’s desire, Glowing as morn, yet virgin cold! Mother-of-pearl out of Bethlehem, Thus I read you, bending above Your sheen, more fair than the breast of a dove;— The white is the Mother without a stain; And the blended hues, the fire and the gold, They stand for Him who for diadem Had a crown of thorns, and was basely slain,— The Son of God clad in mortal mould!