The motherless cubs of wild things fearlessly suckled from her udder, and the cow lapped the soft, furred sides of the young stranger with her long, rough tongue.
And all the wild things that hungered were fed in that hour.
The eagle left its nest on the mountain's rugged side, and sat on the tree with quivering wing beside the dove, that cooed its inward shout of love.
The snake forgot to charm the timid songster that thrilled its joy close by, but, lifting up its hooded head, it madly danced between the sunshine and the shadow that the exultant branches of swaying trees did cast.
The huge elephant sportive became, and played with the deer and doe that rubbed against its haunches.
The fierce lion, the leopard, and all the untamed creatures of the forests, with yearning call of love, turned their faces towards the place, all light, where Love, as a little child was cradled in the arms of man.
And in the hour of His coming many rainbows of wondrous color and beauty did span the skies. And the sun liquid as molten love became.
And in that hour man and beast, and bird and flower, and all that lives upon the earth and underneath its surface and in the deep waters, did look into the abode of Love.
And on the face of earth the smile of Love did rest, and sin vanished from the heart of man, even as hunger disappeareth where plentiful food is dished to the hungered.
The eye of the murderer looked for darkened places wherein to bide himself, but, finding naught but light, did throw his blade into the purified waters of the holy river and knelt at the feet of the holy ones, who in ecstasy were wrapt.