Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HERSELF, by KATHARINE TYNAN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HERSELF, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: She hath it in her keeping, the house quietly sleeping
Last Line: Herself is lady of the house, its mother and queen.
Alternate Author Name(s): Hinkson, Katharine Tynan
Subject(s): Caregivers; Children; Jesus Christ; Mary. Mother Of Jesus; Mothers; Women - Bible; Childhood; Virgin Mary


SHE hath it in her keeping, the house quietly sleeping—
When all the world is fast asleep she's keeping guard;
Her hands stretched in blessing have Heaven for possessing.
She and her Baby hold the house in watch and ward.

Withouten fear and harm the folk sleep and lie warm,
Since there are Two that watch the house the whole night long;
Against fire and danger and the storm's wild anger,
The pestilence that flies by night, Herself is strong.

Her Son she is holding like a flower unfolding
'Twixt the sleepers and the evil that walks abroad;
She draws a line round them and her light to bound them
Under the shelter of her hands and the eyes of God.

The children quietly dreaming of woods and waters gleaming
Wander all night in Paradise amid the flowers;
And wake up still smiling for the dream's beguiling
To her leading and tending through the daylight hours.

There is love and no chiding in the house of her abiding;
There's a light that glows, none knoweth whence, in the air serene.
She who is Queen and Lady of her Son and Heaven already,
Herself is Lady of the House, its Mother and Queen.





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