Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FOR A VIRGIN AND CHILD, BY HANS MEMMELINCK, by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FOR A VIRGIN AND CHILD, BY HANS MEMMELINCK, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Mystery: god, man's life, born into man
Last Line: Harsh nether darkness, and make painful moan.
Alternate Author Name(s): Rossetti, Gabriel Charles Dante
Variant Title(s): Sonntes For Pictures: 1. A Virgin And Child, By Hans Memmeling
Subject(s): Jesus Christ - Childhood & Youth; Mary. Mother Of Jesus; Memmeling, John (1430-1495); Paintings And Painters; Women - Bible; Virgin Mary; Memling, Hans; Memlinc, Hans; Memmelinck, Hans


(In the Academy of Bruges)

MYSTERY: God, Man's life, born into man
Of woman. There abideth on her brow
The ended pang of knowledge, the which now
Is calm assured. Since first her task began
She hath known all. What more of anguish than
Endurance oft hath lived through, the whole space
Through night till night, passed weak upon her face
While like a heavy flood the darkness ran?

All hath been told her touching her dear Son,
And all shall be accomplished. Where He sits
Even now, a babe, He holds the symbol fruit
Perfect and chosen. Until God permits,
His soul's elect still have the absolute
Harsh nether darkness, and make painful moan.





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