Volume 2 — From The Lamp. THE BETTER PART.
Reading edition
"Sweet sister Lucille, I watch thee working, From morning till nightfall, on cloth of gold, On silks of purple, and finest linen, And gems lie before you of worth untold. Makest thou vestments for holy preacher, And cloths to adorn the altar rare?" "Ha, ha!" quoth Lucille, "thou simple creature! The garments I make I intend to wear. Dost thou not see I am nobly fashioned, Regal indeed is my bearing and mien; Are not my features as finely chiselled As e'en were the features of Egypt's queen? I'll work, and work, and I'll never weary, Until rich garments be duly wrought, Suited to clothe my unrivalled form. For which tissues fitting cannot be bought. {758} But, my gentle Mary, I watch thee praying. And wasting many a precious day, Sauntering out amid lanes and alleys, And taking to beggars upon the highway. You bring them on to sit at your table, You feed them on savory meat and wine; Are they above you, that you should clothe them, And so humbly serve while they feast and dine?" Then answered Mary: "God's poor, my sister, Are more than our equals, I should say; One day they'll feast in the kingdom of heaven, For Christ will call them from hedge and highway. I too am working a costly garment With tears and penance, fasting and prayer; 'Tis to clothe my soul, and with God's needy The raiment I weave I hope to wear." Each walked her way through this vain world; Lucille lived with courtiers who gave her praise, Solicitous still to adorn her person, She frittered time to the end of her days; She work'd, and work'd, and never felt weary. Changing her costume as changed her will; When death came, unfinished still were her garments, But withered and sinful he found Lucille. Each walked her way through this vain world; Mary sought neither courtiers nor praise, But in the lazar-house, firm and steadfast. Good she worked to the end of her days. She smooth'd the couch of the sick and dying, She taught the sinner the ways of the Lord, She gave to the "little ones" drink refreshing; Verily she shall not lose her reward.
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