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Rosemary and Pansies

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<h2>GIFTS</h2> <div class="poetry"> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> Myrrh and frankincense and gold— Thus the ancient story told— When the seers found Him they sought, To the wondrous babe they brought. Let us—ours the selfsame quest— Bear unto the Christ our best. </div> <div class="stanza"> If to him, as to our King, We the gift of gold would bring, Be it royal offering! Gold unstained by stealth or greed, Gold outflung to all earth’s need, That hath softened human woe— Helped the helpless, raised the low. </div> <div class="stanza"> Frankincense for him is meet, Yet no Orient odors sweet Are to him as fragrant gift As white thoughts to God uplift, And a life that soars sublime, Sweet above ill scents of time. </div> <div class="stanza"> Last, from out the Magians’ store, Myrrh, as for one dead, they bore; While, perchance, their lifted eyes Viewed afar the Sacrifice.{30} </div> <div class="stanza"> Let us to the sepulcher Bring a richer gift than myrrh: Love that will not yield to dread When all human hopes have fled; Faith that falters not nor quails When the waning earth-light fails, Saying, “Shall I be afraid Of the dark where Thou wast laid?” </div> </div></div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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