Who holds that blood wherewith the porch is stain’d,
By Zachary the priest? John binds the shoes
He deemed himself not worthy to unloose;
And Mary culls the bitter herbs ordained.
Note 1. The scene is in the house-porch, where Christ holds a bowl of blood, from which Zacharias is sprinkling the post and lintel. Joseph has brought the lamb, and Elizabeth lights the pyre. The shoes which John fastens and the bitter herbs which Mary is gathering form part of the ritual. [back]
