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