Nicholson & Lee, eds. The Oxford Book of English Mystical Verse. 1917.
Dora Greenwell (1821–1882)124. The Blade of Grass
‘A sword shall go through thine own heart.’—Prophecy of Simeon
O
A little sword thou art,
That in thy haste to pass
Hast pierced thy mother’s heart!
A little tongue thou art
Of cleaving flame,—alas!
Thou hast cleft thy mother’s heart.
Leaf, sword, or fiery dart,
To win thy Father’s world
Thou must break thy mother’s heart!