Poem by Digby Mackworth Dolben

Homo Factus Est

Come to me, Belovèd,
 Babe of Bethlehem;
Lay aside Thy Sceptre
 And Thy Diadem.

Come to me, Belovèd;
 Light and healing bring;
Hide my sin and sorrow
 Underneath Thy wing.

Bid all fear and doubting
 From my soul depart,
As I feel the beating
 Of Thy Human Heart.

Look upon me sweetly
 With Thy Human Eyes
With Thy Human Finger
 Point me to the skies.

Safe from earthly scandal
 My poor spirit hide
In the utter stillness
 Of Thy wounded Side.

Guide me, ever guide me,
 With Thy piercèd Hand,
Till I reach the borders
 Of the pleasant land.

Then, my own Belovèd,
 Take me home to rest;
Whisper words of comfort;
 Lay me on Thy Breast.

Show me not the Glory
 Round about Thy Throne;
Show me not the flashes
 Of Thy jewelled Crown.

Hide me from the pity
 Of the Angels' Band,
Who ever sing Thy praises,
 And before Thee stand.

Hide me from the glances
 Of the Seraphin,—
They, so pure and spotless,
 I, so stained with sin.

Hide me from S. Michael
 With his flaming sword:—
Thou can'st understand me,
 O my Human Lord!

Jesu, my Belovèd,
 Come to me alone;
In Thy sweet embraces
 Make me all Thine own.

By the quiet waters,
 Sweetest Jesu, lead;
'Mid the virgin lilies,
 Purest Jesu, feed.

Only Thee, Belovèd,
 Only Thee, I seek.
Thou, the Man Christ Jesus,
 Strength in flesh made weak.

1. Methought, through Many Years and Lands
2. There Was One Who Walked in Shadow
3. Dinae Munusculum
4. Good Night
5. Cave of Somnus

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