Eve of the Immaculate Conception

THE
NAZARETH
MINES

When Rome was
Of the world –
And Master Moon
Was free –

And Mistress Midnight
Bedizened -
In show-star
Finery.

A tiny sparkle
Caught,
Miss Mistress Midnight’s
Eye -

And captured Master
Moon,
Who paled
And gasped a sigh -

But Rome, still
Of the world,
Had doctors observe
Ceiling signs -

And missed the Immaculate
Diamond -
Debouching from

The Nazareth mines.