by (Joseph) Hilaire Belloc (1870 - 1953)
Courtesy
Language: English
Of Courtesy, it is much less Than Courage of Heart or Holiness, Yet in my Walks it seems to me That the Grace of God is in Courtesy. On Monks I did in Storrington fall, They took me straight into their Hall; I saw Three Pictures on a wall, And Courtesy was in them all. The first the Annunciation; The second the Visitation; The third the Consolation, Of God that was Our Lady's Son. The first was of St. Gabriel; On Wings a-flame from Heaven he fell; And as he went upon one knee He shone with Heavenly Courtesy. Our Lady out of Nazareth rode - It was Her month of heavy load; Yet was her face both great and kind, For Courtesy was in Her Mind. The third it was our Little Lord, Whom all the Kings in arms adored; He was so small you could not see His large intent of Courtesy. Our Lord, that was Our Lady's Son, Go bless you, People, one by one; My Rhyme is written, my work is done.
Text Authorship:
- by (Joseph) Hilaire Belloc (1870 - 1953), "Courtesy", appears in Verses, first published 1910 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Roy Teed (b. 1928), "Courtesy", c1960 [ baritone and orchestra or piano ], from So Blest a Day [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2009-01-16
Line count: 27
Word count: 175