Francis Quarles

Here you will find the Poem On the Infancy of Our Savior of poet Francis Quarles

On the Infancy of Our Savior

Hail! blessed Virgin, full of heavenly grace, 
Blest above all that sprang from human race, 
Whose heaven-saluted womb brought forth in one 
A blessed Savior and a blessed Son. 
O what a ravishment 't had been to see 
Thy little Savior perking on thy knee! 
To see Him nuzzle in thy virgin breast, 
His milk-white body all unclad, undressed; 
To see thy busy fingers clothe and wrap 
His spraddling limbs in thy indulgent lap; 
To see His desperate eyes with childish grace 
Smiling upon His smiling mother's face; 
And when His forward strength began to bloom 
To see Him diddle up and down the room. 
O who would think so sweet a Babe as this 
Should ere be slain by a false-hearted kiss? 
Had I a rag, if sure Thy body wore it, 
Pardon, sweet Babe, I think I should adore it; 
Till then, O grant this boon, a boon far dearer: 
The weed not being, I may adore the Wearer.