The South Transept: The Epistle and Gospel VII

The Innocents, the Martyrs, and the one,
For martyr's heart, and childlike innocence,
Belov'd and nearest. Thus each duteous son
She trains at His poor cradle, gaining thence
Sermons of that diviner eloquence,
And as our sorrow's winters roll along,
Brings to that childhood — in our manlier sense
Less have we ears for the angelic song,
Or heart to enter in with that meek shepherd throng.