The Father of Heaven. Spin, daughter Mary, spin, Twirl your wheel with silver din; Spin, daughter Mary, spin,
Spin a tress for Viola. Angels. Spin, Queen Mary, a Brown tress for Viola!
The Father of Heaven. Weave, hands angelical, Weave a woof of flesh to pall — Weave, hands angelical —
Flesh to pall our Viola. Angels. Weave, singing brothers, a Velvet flesh for Viola!
The Father of Heaven. Scoop, young Jesus, for her eyes, Wood-browned pools of Paradise — Young Jesus, for the eyes,
For the eyes of Viola. Angels. Tint, Prince Jesus, a Dusked eye for Viola!
The Father of Heaven. Cast a star therein to drown, Like a torch in cavern brown, Sink a burning star to drown
Whelmed in eyes of Viola. Angels. Lave, Prince Jesus, a Star in eyes of Viola!
The Father of Heaven. Breathe, Lord Paraclete, To a bubbled crystal meet — Breathe, Lord Paraclete —
Crystal soul for Viola. Angels. Breathe, Regal Spirit, a Flashing soul for Viola!
The Father of Heaven. Child-angels, from your wings Fall the roseal hoverings, Child-angels, from your wings
On the cheeks of Viola. Angels. Linger, rosy reflex, a Quenchless stain, on Viola!
All things being accomplished, saith the Father of Heaven: Bear her down, and bearing, sing, Bear her down on spyless wing, Bear her down, and bearing, sing,
With a sound of viola. Angels. Music as her name is, a Sweet sound of Viola!
Wheeling angels, past espial, Danced her down with sound of viol; Wheeling angels, past espial, Descanting on “Viola.”
Angels. Sing, in our footing, a Lovely lilt of “Viola!” Baby smiled, mother wailed,
Earthward while the sweetling sailed; Mother smiled, baby wailed, When to earth came Viola. And her elders shall say:
So soon have we taught you a Way to weep, poor Viola! Smile, sweet baby, smile, For you will have weeping-while;
Native in your Heaven is smile,— But your weeping, Viola? Whence your smiles, we know, but ah! Whence your weeping, Viola?—
Our first gift to you is a Gift of tears, my Viola!
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