In every sundry nation, Then Jesus, ah! and Joseph, God speed thee, man! said Jesus, Which thou this day hast sown. The husbandman fell on his knees, Long time hast Thou been looked for, And I myself do now believe The truth, man, thou hast spoken, If any one should come this way, Tell them that Jesus passed by, After that there came King Herod, Why, the truth it must be spoke, But now I have it reapen, Ready to fetch and carry Turn back, says the captain, Your labor and mine's in vain, It's full three-quarters of a year Since he his seed sown. So Herod was deceivéd By the work of God's own hand, And further he proceeded Into the Holy Land. There's thousands of children young, Which for His sake did die ; Do not forbid those little ones, The truth now I have spoken, And the truth now I have shown, Even the blessed Virgin, She's now brought forth a Son. The Holy Well. 35 THE HOLY WELL. As it fell out one May morning, To play, to play, sweet Jesus shall go, Sweet Jesus went down to yonder town And there did see as fine children He said, God bless you every one, But they made answer to Him, No: Was but a maiden's child, born in an ox's stall. Sweet Jesus turned Him around, And He neither laughed nor smiled, But the tears came trickling from His eyes Like water from the skies. Sweet Jesus turned Him about, To His mother's dear home went He, I have been down in yonder town I bid God bless them every one, And their bodies Christ save and see: Little children, shall I play with you, And you shall play with me? But they made answer to me, No: Was but a maiden's child, born in an ox's stall. Though you are but a maiden's child, Born in an ox's stall, Thou art the Christ, the King of heaven, |