(In the Academy of Bruges) <br />MYSTERY: God, man's life, born into man <br />Of woman. There abideth on her brow <br />The ended pang of knowledge, the which now <br />Is calm assured. Since first her task began <br />She hath known all. What more of anguish than <br />Endurance oft hath lived through, the whole space <br />Through night till day, passed weak upon her face <br />While the heard lapse of darkness slowly ran? <br />All hath been told her touching her dear Son, <br />And all shall be accomplished. Where He sits <br />Even now, a babe, He holds the symbol fruit <br />Perfect and chosen. Until God permits, <br />His soul's elect still have the absolute <br />Harsh nether darkness, and make painful moan.<br /><br />Dante Gabriel Rossetti<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/for-a-virgin-and-child-by-hans-memmelinck/
