I

When the Lord Christ paid life with death, 
  Beside the cross his Mother stood; 
She saw her Child yield up his breath, 
  She knew the passing of her God. 

And He said : Lady, though I go, 
  I leave thee not without a son; 
All men for whom my blood doth flow 
  Shall call thee mother, -- all for one. 

This bitter life is past for me, 
  I can thy love no farther prove; 
But many eyes shall turn to thee : 
  Behold thy son in them I love ! 

And Mary said : So be it done ; 
  Be they my children in thy stead ; 
I will love all, who loved but one, 
  And in the living see the dead. 

II

My soul's Lord, too, paid life with death, 
  And empty was her wide abode ; 
She saw her child yield up his breath, 
  She knew the passing of her God. 

And she said : Lord, since thou art gone, 
  Thou canst my love no farther prove ; 
But while I live each flower and stone 
  Shall bear thy name and prove my love.