Saint Joseph takes the bridle; carefully
The path selects; but rugged is the way;
The hills are steep and stony; far away
Should they be on the road 'ere break of day,
Southward to west - and time brooks no delay.
Brave is his heart and strong. Yet oh, to see
Those Sacred Ones benighted. Prayerfully
His soul is lifted up. 'It cannot be
But God-Jehovah judgeth righteously,
Albeit His Ways are full of mystery.
'Lord God of Abraham, whose own are we,
Look on Thine Holy Ones, and let them be
Girt with Thy strength. O God, we look to Thee
To be our Shield in this adversity,
Our Safeguard in this dire extremity.
'Dost Thou not send us, Lord, away from Thee?
From Juda's land, and David's City? See,
As fugitives and wanderers we flee
Before the terrors of the Gentiles. We,
Despised and helpless, have no Home but Thee.
'Look on the Face of Thine Anointed. See,
How may I guard Him in this misery?
Look on the tender Mother. Is not she
Dearer to Thee than Angels? Who may be
The Seed of righteous David, if not she?
'Lord, give them strength to come where they may be
Protected and in safety. 'Tis for Thee,
O God, to lead us surely until we
The plains of Misraim in the south may see.
Then shall we know that we are following Thee.
Lo, to the brave true heart all tenderly
Whispers the Soul of Jesus: 'Joseph, be
Fearless as faithful. I, the Lord, am He
Who leddeth Joseph like a sheep - am He,
Thy Guardian and thy God, now leading thee.
- text taken from Mary: The Perfect Woman, by Emily Mary Shapcote