'Is this for me His token? Will it be
So soon accomplished?' inwardly saith she.
Then turns to Magdalen: when suddenly,
Cries as of loud 'Hosannas' passing by
Recall to her the ancient prophecy,
Then, lifting up her face in ecstasy:
'Fear not, O Sion's Daughter,' murmur'th she.
'Behold thy King. He cometh unto thee
Poor and despised, and riding graciously
Upon the ass's foal. Lo: this is He.'
Then, bursting on the air all clamorously:
'Hosanna: (cry the people) Blest be He
Who cometh in Jehovah's Name. Yea, be
The Kingdom blest of David. Verily,
This is the Prophet-King from Galilee.'
'Messias:' Magdalen exclaims: 'will He
Restore the throne of Solomon? Ah me,
What strange new joy is this: 'then, tenderly
Her hand the Mother takes, and silently,
Looks her reply: 'Not so, in verity.'
'Is He then not Messias?' . . . 'Truly He,
He and none other can Messias be.
He who the world hath made, yea, verily,
The world can make again. Messias, He
From the Beginning: lo, the Word is He.'
Hearkens the Magdalen with glistening eye:
'He is my God, my Lord. Oh, answer me,
Dear Mother of my Lord, how this may be?
When shall the Kingdom come, if this be He,
King David's Royal Son, in verity?'
'How is it that this King doth over thee
Reign as a Lord and Master? Mary, see,
Naught in the world - in Heaven or Hell- can be
The conqueror of such a King as He:
Such, and none other will His Kingdom be.'
- text taken from Mary: The Perfect Woman, by Emily Mary Shapcote