Poems (Kimball)/The Rose of Jericho

by Harriet McEwen Kimball

THE ROSE OF JERICHO.

to E. J. P.

YOU love a legend. Here is one:
 When Joseph warned in dreams by night
Took Mary and her Blessed Son
 And they to Egypt made their flight,

As through the desert wild they went
 By angels led and undismayed,
A flower sprang up of sweetest scent
 Where'er the Virgin's steps were stayed.

'T is fabled that this flower since then
 Blooms only on some feast-day high,
And chiefly when comes round again
 The Feast of Christ's Nativity.

Be this sweet legend true or no,
 'T is true that Mary went that way,
And true the Rose of Jericho
 Blooms in my thoughts this Christmas Day.

And in the fragrant flower I find,
 My darling child, a lesson true;
A sermon and a song enshrined
 That I in love unfold for you.

When through life's desert places led
 By holy angels unaware,
Intent on mercy's deeds you tread
 And make God's needy ones your care,

If in your arms the Christ Child dear
 You carry wheresoe'er you go,
In every place earth's wilds to cheer
 Will spring the Rose of Jericho.