THE MADONNA

With His kind Mother, who partakes thy woe,
Joseph, turn back: see, where your Child doth sit
Blowing, yea, blowing out those sparks of wit,
Which Himself on those doctors did bestow.
The Word but lately could not speak; and Lo,
It suddenly speaks wonders. Whence comes it,
That all which was, and all which would be, writ
A shallow-seeming Child should deeply know?
His Godhead was not soul to His Manhood;
Nor had time mellowed Him to this ripeness;
But, as for one which hath long tasks, 'tis good
With the sun to begin His business,
He, in His age's morning, thus began
By miracles exceeding power of man.