Poems (Kimball)/The Rose of Jericho

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THE ROSE OF JERICHO.
to E. J. P.
YOU love a legend. Here is one:  When Joseph warned in dreams by night Took Mary and her Blessed Son  And they to Egypt made their flight,
As through the desert wild they went  By angels led and undismayed,A flower sprang up of sweetest scent  Where'er the Virgin's steps were stayed.
'T is fabled that this flower since then  Blooms only on some feast-day high, And chiefly when comes round again  The Feast of Christ's Nativity.
Be this sweet legend true or no,  'T is true that Mary went that way, And true the Rose of Jericho  Blooms in my thoughts this Christmas Day.
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And in the fragrant flower I find,  My darling child, a lesson true; A sermon and a song enshrined  That I in love unfold for you.
When through life's desert places led  By holy angels unaware,Intent on mercy's deeds you tread  And make God's needy ones your care,
If in your arms the Christ Child dear  You carry wheresoe'er you go, In every place earth's wilds to cheer  Will spring the Rose of Jericho.
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