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 /> <br />I praise Him most, I love Him best, all praise and love is His; <br />While Him I love, in Him I live, and cannot live amiss. <br /> <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 /> <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 /> <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 /> <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 /> <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 /> <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 />Robert Southwell<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-child-my-choice/
