Let folly praise that fancy loves, I praise and love that Child, <br />Whose heart no thought, whose tongue no word, whose hand no deed defiled. <br />I praise Him most, I love Him best, all praise and love are His; <br />While Him I love, in Him I live, and cannot live amiss. <br />Love's sweetest mark, laud's highest theme, man's most desired light, <br />To love Him life, to leave Him death, to live in Him delight. <br />He mine by gift, I His by debt, thus each to other due. <br />First friend He was, best friend He is, all times will try Him true. <br />Though young yet wise, though small yet strong; though man yet God He is; <br />As wise He knows, as strong He can, as God He loves to bless. <br />His knowledge rules, His strength defends, His love doth cherish all; <br />His birth our joy, His life our light, His death our end of thrall. <br />Alas! He weeps, He sighs, He pants, yet do His angels sing; <br />Out of His tears, His sighs and throbs, doth bud a joyful spring. <br />Almighty Babe, whose tender arms can force all foes to fly, <br />Correct my faults, protect my life, direct me when I die!<br /><br />St. Robert Southwell SJ<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-child-my-choice-2/
