Bethlehem or Jerusalem may be a miss; however, Jesus dared strengthens Dickinson's intention. The "I" in line five is Virgin Mary, the only one who can say Jesus dared in Jesus' childhood. Mary's pregnancy was a dishonor in her time from other's view, thought no more today.
"They have not chosen me," he said, 1
"But I have chosen them!"
Brave－Broken hearted statement－
Uttered in Bethlehem!
I could not have told it, 5
But since Jesus dared－
Sovereign! Know a Daisy
Thy dishonor shared!
"But I have chosen them!"
Brave－Broken hearted statement－
Uttered in Bethlehem!
I could not have told it, 5
But since Jesus dared－
Sovereign! Know a Daisy
Thy dishonor shared!
(F.87/J.85)
[1] They:: Mary and Joseph. he:: not capitalized, Jesus in his childhood.
[2] I have chosen them:: Jesus had chosen Mary and Joseph.
[3] Broken hearted statement:: the statement broke the mother's heart.
[4] Beethleem:: the birthplace of Jesus.
[5] I:: Mary the mother of Jesus. could not have told it:: Mary didn't tell Jesus about Joseph's dream, "that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost." (Matthew 1:20)
[6] Jesus dared:: Jesus dared to say the statement in line 1 and 2.
[7] Daisy:: a first-rate thing or person (OED 5), indicating Mary.
[8] dishonor:: a virgin found pregnant before marriage, a dishonor for Mary in her time, for "Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily." (Matthew 1:19)
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. (John 15:16)