The book is divided into three parts, with a small group of poems added at the end, which Michael wrote while Henry was dying. In the first part, called “Hyssop,” the story of the Redemption is unfolded in a series of poems representing the life and death of Christ. It is possible to quote only two or three of the incidents thus treated, but we may take first this one describing the presentation of the infant Christ in the Temple:
THE PRESENTATION
They say it is a King
His Temple entering!
The great veil doth not rock
With gust and earthquake shock:
But all the air is stilled
As at a law fulfilled.
Dreams from their graves rise up—;
Melchizidek with cup;
Abraham most glad of heart,
A little way apart.
Mary, to keep God’s word,
Brings Babe and turtle-bird.
Lo! Simeon draweth in,
And doth his song begin!
Great doom is for her Son,
And Mary’s heart undone.