The mother joined the pilgrims, Her sick son leadeth she; And both sing in the chorus, "_Gelobt seyst du, Marie!_" [Footnote 22] [Footnote 22: "Praised be thou, Mary!"] II. The holy Mother in Kevlaar To-day is well arrayed,-- To-day hath much to busy her. For many sick ask her aid. {128} And many sick people bring her Such offerings as are meet; Many waxen limbs they bring her, Many waxen hands and feet. And who a wax hand bringeth, His hand is healed that day; And who a wax foot bringeth, With sound feet goes away. Many went there on crutches Who now on the rope can spring; Many play now on the viol Whose hands could not touch a string. The mother she took a waxen light. And shaped therefrom a heart; "Take that to the Mother of Christ," she said, "And she will heal thy smart." He sighed, and took the waxen heart, And went to the church in woe; The tears from his eyes fell streaming, The words from his heart came low. "Thou that art highly blessed, Thou Mother of Christ!" said he; "Thou that art queen of heaven, I bring my griefs to thee. I dwell in Cöln with my mother; In Cöln upon the Rhine, Where so many hundred chapels And so many churches shine. And near unto us dwelt Gretchen; But dead is Gretchen now. Marie, I bring a waxen heart,-- My heart's despair heal thou. Heal thou my sore heart-sickness; So I will sing to thee Early and late with fervent love, "_Gelobt seyst du, Marie!_" {129} III. The sick son and the mother In one chamber slept that night; And the holy Mother of Jesus Gild in with footsteps light She bowed her over the sick man's bed, And one there hand did lay Upon his throbbing bosom, Then smiled and passed away. It seemed a dream to the mother, And she had yet seen more But that her sleep was broken, For the dogs howled at the door. Upon his bed extended Her son lay, and was dead; And o'er his thin pale visage streamed The morning's lovely red. Her hands the mother folded. Yet not a tear wept she; But sang in low devotion, "_Gelobt seyst du, Marie!_" MARY HOWITT. ------ From The Reader. THE ANCIENT LAWS OF IRELAND. _Ancient Laws of Ireland_. Vol. I. Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office. (London: Longman. Dublin: Thorn.)