Read "Mater Triumphans" by Robert Louis Stevenson online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Son of my woman's body, you go, to the drum and fife, / To taste the colour of love and the other side of life --
From out of the dainty the rude, the strong from out of the frail, / Eternally through the ages from the female comes the male.
The ten fingers and toes, and the shell-like nail on each, / The eyes blind as gems and the tongue attempting speech; / Impotent hands in my bosom, and yet they shall wield the sword!
Drugged with slumber and milk, you wait the day of the Lord.
Infant bridegroom, uncrowned king, unanointed priest, / Soldier, lover, explorer, I see you nuzzle the breast.
You that grope in my bosom shall load the ladies with rings, / You, that came forth through the doors, shall burst the doors of kings.