MARTHA. She sitteth idly at the Master’s feet, | |
| And troubles not herself with household cares. | |
| ’T is the old story. When a guest arrives | |
| She gives up all to be with him; while I | |
| Must be the drudge, make ready the guest-chamber, | 5 |
| Prepare the food, set everything in order, | |
| And see that naught is wanting in the house. | |
| She shows her love by words, and I by works. | |
| MARY. O Master! when thou comest, it is always | |
| A Sabbath in the house. I cannot work; | 10 |
| I must sit at thy feet; must see thee, hear thee! | |
| I have a feeble, wayward, doubting heart, | |
| Incapable of endurance or great thoughts, | |
| Striving for something that it cannot reach, | |
| Baffled and disappointed, wounded, hungry; | 15 |
| And only when I hear thee am I happy, | |
| And only when I see thee am at peace! | |
| Stronger than I, and wiser, and far better | |
| In every manner, is my sister Martha, | |
| Thou seest how well she orders everything | 20 |
| To make thee welcome; how she comes and goes, | |
| Careful and cumbered ever with much serving, | |
| While I but welcome thee with foolish words! | |
| Whene’er thou speakest to me, I am happy; | |
| When thou art silent, I am satisfied. | 25 |
| Thy presence is enough. I ask no more. | |
| Only to be with thee, only to see thee, | |
| Sufficeth me. My heart is then at rest. | |
| I wonder I am worthy of so much. | |
| MARTHA. Lord, dost thou care not that my sister Mary | 30 |
| Hath left me thus to wait on thee alone? | |
| I pray thee, bid her help me. | |
| CHRIST. Martha, Martha, | |
| Careful and troubled about many things | |
| Art thou, and yet one thing alone is needful! | 35 |
| Thy sister Mary hath chosen that good part, | |
| Which never shall be taken away from her! | |
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