XVII: Epiphany-Eve explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Faith and Doubt

  The poem expresses faithful devotion to Mary and Christ, with a tone of certainty and trust, though it acknowledges the mystery of Mary's rest and the sorrow of separation.

• Transience and Eternity

  Contrasts the transient 'Christmas snow' and 'Christmas berries' with the eternal themes of Mary's ascension and the 'age that has no ending.'

• Suffering and Humility

  Mary's surrender to God's will is described as true and humble, with 'fiery trial, anguish chill' serving God's secret purpose, yet her path was gentle.

Characters to notice

• Mary

  The poem is a birthday offering to Mary, addressing her as 'dearest, gentlest, purest, best' and reflecting on her mysterious rest and ascension.

• Angels

  Angels hover around Mary, fanning their wings and keeping time to a singer of high consolatory themes.

• Christ

  Christ is referenced as the one who broke the grave's stern seal and as the King to whom tribute is brought; also as the one who trod the narrow road.

• Unknown

  The narrator speaks in first person plural ('we') and later singular ('I'), offering the poem as a monument and addressing the reader.

• The Dead

  Implied in the reference to Mary's 'mysterious rest' and the 'solemn holiday' of her death.

Key passages

• “Birthday gifts, with the early year, Lo! we bring thee, Mary dear! Prayer and praise upon thy death Twined together in a wreath, Grief and gladness, such as may Suit a solemn holiday.”

  We offer you birthday gifts at the start of the year, dear Mary: a wreath of prayer and praise for your death, mixing grief and joy appropriate for a holy day.

  The opening lines establish the poem as a birthday offering to Mary, blending sorrow and celebration.

• “Then came the Feast, and we were told Bravely of our best to bring, Myrrh, and frankincense, and gold, As our tribute to our King.”

  Then the feast arrived, and we were instructed to bring our finest gifts—myrrh, frankincense, and gold—as tribute to our King.

  Alludes to the Magi's gifts to the infant Jesus, symbolizing the faithful's offering to Christ.

• “Lead, a guiding beacon bright To travellers on the Eve of Light.”

  Lead us as a bright beacon to travelers on the eve of light.

  Mary is invoked as a guiding light for those journeying toward spiritual illumination.

• “I this monument would raise, Distant from the public gaze. Few will see it;—few e'er knew thee; But their beating hearts pursue thee— And their eyes fond thoughts betoken, Though thy name be seldom spoken.”

  I would raise this monument away from public view. Few will see it, and few ever knew you, but their hearts pursue you and their eyes show fond thoughts, even if your name is rarely spoken.

  The narrator dedicates the poem as a private monument to Mary, cherished by a few devoted souls.