Christmas before me,—was not that a chance?

I never realized God's birth before—

How He grew likest God in being born.

This time I felt like Mary, had my babe

Lying a little on my breast like hers."

With a beautiful and holy confidence she now "lays away her babe with God," secure for him in the future. She forgives the husband who has slain her: "I could not love him, but his mother did." And with her last breath she blesses the friend who has saved her:—

"O lover of my life, O soldier-saint,

No work begun shall ever pause for death.


So, let him wait God's instant men call years;