Queen Mary one day Jesus sent <br />To fetch some water, legends tell; <br />The little boy, obedient, <br />Drew a full pitcher from the well; <br /> <br />But as he raised it to his head, <br />The water lipping with the rim, <br />The handle broke, and all was shed <br />Upon the stones about the brim. <br /> <br />His cloak upon the ground he laid <br />And in it gathered up the pool; <br />Obedient there the water staid, <br />And home he bore it plentiful. <br /> <br /> <br />Eligius said, 'Tis fabled ill: <br />The hands that all the world control, <br />Had here been room for miracle, <br />Had made his mother's pitcher whole! <br /> <br />'Still, some few drops for thirsty need <br />A poor invention even, when told <br />In love of thee the Truth indeed, <br />Like broken pitcher yet may hold: <br /> <br />'Thy truth, alas, Lord, once I spilt: <br />I thought to bear the pitcher high; <br />Upon the shining stones of guilt <br />I slipped, and there the potsherds lie! <br /> <br /> <br />'Master, <br />I cried, <br />no man will drink, <br />No human thirst will e'er be stilled <br />Through me, who sit upon the brink, <br />My pitcher broke, thy water spilled! <br /> <br />'What will they do I waiting left? <br />They looked to me to bring thy law! <br />The well is deep, and, sin-bereft, <br />I nothing have wherewith to draw!' <br /> <br /> <br />'But as I sat in evil plight, <br />With dry parched heart and sickened brain, <br />Uprose in me the water bright, <br />Thou gavest me thyself again!'<br /><br />George MacDonald<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-meditation-of-st-eligius/
