END OF MAN ■■ - ■ : - A : ; A^ / ALBANY CHRISTIE . , < > U.( ^ . .* • • - - 4 . X. - « % 4 ..< ». THE END OF MAN. ROF.MAMPTON : PRINTED BY JAMES STANLEY. / j * . r ■V THE END OF MAN. In Four Books. BY ALBANY JAMES CHRISTIE, LONDON: KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH & CO., i, PATERNOSTER SQUARE. 1886. THE ARGUMENT. The End of Man is Happiness,— Happiness to be attained through the Right Use of Creatures : their Misuse makes of Man, a Wreck ; which may be repaired however on his Repentance. Hereupon, Man enlists in the Service of the Sovereign of the Universe under the Standard of His Son, by following Whose Humility in the Actions and Sufferings of Life, he gains the Victory over the world and wins his End,— unending Happiness. ARGUMENT OF BOOK I. I am a creature of GOD,—intended for Happiness by Glorifying, Reverencing, and Doing the Will of GOD (c. i): the Instruments with which I am supplied to attain this End are the Creatures that surround me (c. 2). It is possible for me to prefer these Creatures to GOD, and to prefer my will to His Will (c. 3) :—if I do, the Fall of the Angels (c. 4), —the Fall of Man (c. 5),—the Wreck of a Lost Soul (c. 6)— warn me of the consequences of my Pride. If I have fallen ; —still, if I arraign myself (c. 7), I shall escape the Punish¬ ment I have deserved (c. 8), and shall be admitted to a fresh trial. Nothing must discourage me (c. 9). ARGUMENT OF BOOK II. I see the SON of GOD going through the villages of the Holy Land, calling men to follow Him:—I enlist under His Standard and follow His Example (c. 1). All I see in Him, points to Humility (c. 2—12), and I resolve to welcome Humiliations as Humility’s only school (c. 13); I will be in earnest (c. 14),—and aim at its Perfection (c. 15). I trace its Perfection in the Actions of my Master, and choose Him for My Pattern (c. 16—31). I will beware of deception (c. 22). V LI 1 Argument. ARGUMENT OF ROOK III. I find the profoundest Humiliations and the sublimest Humility in the Sufferings of my Master during His Passion (c. I — I i). ARGUMENT OF BOOK IV. The man who has followed His Master and become Humble, lives in the world superior to the world (c. i —13), and wins endless Happiness in Heaven (c. 14), where he possesses to the full and for ever, the Love of GOD (c. 15). 1 CONTENTS. BOOK I. PA OF, Canto I.—The End of Man. i „ 2.—The Use of Creatures. 7 ,, 3.—Missing the End.10 ,, 4.—Wreck of the Angels. 13 ,, 5.—Wreck of the World. 22 ,, 6.—The Wrecked Soul.33 ,, 7.—Self-arraignment.42 ,, 8.—The Punishment of Sin.50 ,, 9.—Desolation.56 BOOK II. Canto i.—T he Following of Christ.65 „ 2.—The Incarnation.73 „ 3.—The Visitation.88 ,, 4.—The Nativity.98 ,, 5.—The Shepherds. 106 ,, 6.—The Circumcision.116 ,, 7.—The Magi.'... . 121 ,, 8.—The Presentation.131 ,, 9.—The Flight into Egypt.137 ,, 10.—The Return from Egypt.143 ,, 11.—Life at Nazareth.148 ,, 12.—The Finding in the Temple.153 ,, 13.—The Two Standards.169 ,, 14.—Three Ways of Wishing.181 ,, 15.—Three Kinds of Humility.187 ,, 16.—The Baptism.193 ,, 17.—The Temptation.200 ,, 18.—The Call of the Apostles.212 ,, 19.—The Marriage at Cana.224 „ 20.—The Sellers in the Temple. 231 ,, 21.—The Sermon on the Mount.235 ,, 22.—The Stilling of the Tempest.239 ,, 23.—Christ Walking on the Sea.243 X Contents. PAGE Canto 24.—The Mission of the Apostles.248 ,, 25.—The Conversion of Magdalen.251 ,, 26.—The Feeding of the Five Thousand . . . ' . 261 ,, 27.—The Transfiguration of Christ.265 ,, 28.—The Raising of Lazarus.269 ,, 29.—The Supper at Bethany. 279 ,, 30.—Palm Sunday.284 ,, 31.—Preaching in the Temple.288 ,, 32.—Seeming Good and Real Good.291 BOOK III. Canto i.—T he Last Supper . 299 ,, 2.—From the Supper to the Garden, inclusive . . 308 ,, 3.—From the Garden to the House of Annas . . 316 ,, 4.—From the House of Annas to Caiphas’ . . . 323 ,, 5.—From Caiphas’ House to Pilate’s.329 ,, 6.—From Pilate’s House to Herod’s.337 ,, 7.—From Herod’s House to Pilate’s.340 ,, 8.—From the House of Pilate to the Cross . . . 345 ,, 9.—The Mysteries on the Cross .353 ,, 10.—From the Cross to the Sepulchre.360 ,, 11.—The Desolata. 364 BOOK IV. Canto i.—T he Resurrection of Christ: the 1st Apparition 371 ,, 2.—The 2nd Apparition.382 ,, 3.—The 3rd Apparition.387 ,, 4.—The 4th Apparition.390 ,, 5.—The 5th Apparition.393 ,, 6.—The 6th Apparition.39*7 ,, 7.—The 7th Apparition.401 ,, 8.—The 8th Apparition.404 ,, 9.—The 9th Apparition.413 ,, 10.—The 10th Apparition.416 ,, 11.—The nth Apparition.418 ,, 12.—The 12th Apparition.420 ,, 13.—The 13th Apparition.423 ,, 14.—The 14th Apparition : the Ascension .... 427 ,, 15.—The Love of God.430 THE END OF MAN. BOOK I. THE END OF MAN. BOOK I. CANTO i. TI1E END OF MAN. The End of Man: the reign of Christ our Lord : God’s greater glory : man’s supreme reward :—■ Such is my theme, so God attune the chord. I am not worthy :—yet, the Christian Muse, Cecilia, could the lifeless organ use And with her touch celestial strains infuse; And Thou, Cecilia’s Master and her God, Couldst bid the almond sprout from Aaron’s rod ;— Couldst to Thy likeness raise the earthy clod ; Hear and inspire my song: and if in aught I seem to speak awry, let every thought To the sure touchstone of the truth be brought,— B The End of Alan. Book I. o For so, e’en babes inerrancy may share, Linked, as it is, by God to Peter’s Chair That all who seek the truth may find it there. The End of Man ! And wherefore am I here ? What is the destined end of my career ? Confined to earth or high as Heaven my sphere ? The Spirit bore me to a height sublime Whence, calmly, I could view the things of time, And contemplate each city, people, clime. Nor friendless stood I there;—I soon descried A form of gracious aspect at my side, My own dear father, charged my steps to guide. Right well, Ignatius, did thy martial worth, Thy genius, grace of form, and noble birth, Give promise of a proud career on earth. True Knight wast thou; and thine the warrior’s aim ;— Thine, at thy choice, the prize of world-wide fame;— Thine, with domestic joys, a hero’s name: Canto i. The End of Man. d> But thou didst choose the higher, nobler course Of those who mount the stream to win the source;— Who storm the willing gates of Heaven by force. What though unworthy, I am still thy child; Be thou my teacher, lest, by sin beguiled, My stammering rhymes with falsehood be defiled. Pray that God’s holy Unction may inspire The faltering chords of my untempered lyre:— Let them not jar with Heaven’s harmonious choir. My father heard : the praise be his alone : The truths I pen his teaching hath made known; All that is weak and worthless is my own. He blessed me first: thenceforth with eager gaze I marked the varied and diverging ways Of men and women in earth’s tangled maze. As when beneath hot summer’s fervid glare The honey-laden travellers home repair, And to their hive the golden treasures bear;— 4 The End of Man. Book I. Should one, who scantly of their instincts knew, The restless throng beneath the crystal view, And with unpractised eye their tracks pursue;— 0 All would to him seem labour : he alone, With eye well practised to observe, could own Which was the worker, which the idle drone. So, in the chart before me, small and great, All fondly chose, according to their state, Some fancied good their hopes to consummate. Some sought their end in keen pursuit of gold, Absorbed in self,—with callous hearts and cold And to be rich, their life and honour sold. Some sought their end in sensual delight, Pleasures e’en natural shame conceals from sight The luscious love-draught drugged with aconite. Some, witched by honour’s glare, with dazzled eyes Strove, flight by flight, with soaring enterprise To proud ambition’s giddy height to rise. Canto i. The End of Man. 5 All these are toys that bind us down to earth,— A higher meed befits our heavenly birth, Beyond compare with these, of nobler worth. Soul is not matter, natural reasons plead,— For man’s ideas mere matter’s powers exceed, And for conception force of spirit need : Besides, to faith it stands a truth revealed : Man’s soul to dissolution ne’er can yield,— God’s image in pure spirit countersealed. Wouldst thou then know, indeed, the end of man ? Ask of his origin whence he began, And thou shalt find wherewith his end to scan. His Spring-head was in truth the Power Divine Of Him Who ever Is, and Whose design Planned to make earth and Heaven His Glory’s shrine; Whose Providence to Man, His favourite, gave A body, soon to moulder in the grave,— A never-dying soul, for aye to save. 6 The End of Man. Book I. Man’s end is endless Life: no eye hath seen, No ear hath heard, no wit, however keen, The depths hath sounded of that peace serene,— Revealed to faith, by science unexplored, Which in the vision of our God is stored For all who praise, revere, and serve the Lord. While then, man bears the pilgrim’s part below, Much it imports the heavenly road to know:— Ignatius, help thy son the way to show. Canto 2. The Use of Creatures. 7 BOOK I. CANTO 2. * . 7 THE USE OF CREATURES. God is! and man ! but not in solitude Hath God made man: let the vast round be viewed And countless creatures thou shalt find, endued With diverse properties: earth, sea, and sky Teem with the handiwork of God most High, Or void of life, or living, soon to die. Creatures by God for man’s behoof were made,— Man cannot live without these creatures’ aid,— And in their use is God by man obeyed. But creatures may usurp their Maker’s place, And man be ravished by their outward grace, Like Atalanta in the fatal race.. The moon so weak herself may intervene Twixt earth and sun, and, like a baleful screen, Cumber the disc and blotch the mighty sheen! The Use of Creatures. Book I. O Nay, though the solar shafts the vision daze, A coin of bronze may intercept the rays, And quench the burning sun’s meridian blaze. So things eternal yield to things of time; So things of sight supplant the unseen sublime, And by their senses men are lured to crime. Learn then, O man, the creature’s use to know,— Thankful, if joys in streams of gladness flow,— Kissing the rod when God dispenses woe. When thy free-will is left to make its choice, In creatures helpful to thy soul rejoice, But shun the rest for all their siren voice. So far as creatures aid thee, use their aid, So far as creatures stay, thy love be stayed : They were for man, not man for creatures made. Be not solicitous for either one, For health or sickness, so God’s will be done; Themselves are equipoised to seek or shun. Canto 2. The Use of Creatures. 9 Be not enamoured of the glint of gold, Endure with patience hunger, thirst, or cold, So God be thine what time the end is told. Care not for man’s esteem, for human fame, Shrink not from this world’s slights, contempt and shame. So God and Angels hold thee free from blame. Wish not a lengthened life of many years, Nor let untimely death awake thy fears; Short-lived or long, he’s blessed who perseveres. To that alone thy choice and wishes bend, How best in life thou may’st thy journey spend, How best in death thou may’st thy journey end. IO Book I. Missing the End. BOOK I. CANTO 3. MISSING THE END. Man’s end is endless life : no eye hath seen, No ear hath heard, no wit however keen, Hath sounded, or can sound, that peace serene, Revealed to faith, by science unexplored, Which in the vision of our God is stored For all who praise, revere, and serve the Lord. But, granting this, a disputant might ask, And with a sophist’s art his query mask, “Is man obliged to undertake the task ? “ Say, should a man exert the gift divine,— The power of choosing freely,—and decline God’s largess and eternal life resign : “ What if enamoured of created good, He, unambitious, cling to creaturehood, And leave to others the ambrosial food ? Canto 3. Missing the End. 11 “ If God be good, doth not each creature here His goodness share, and, if we hold it dear, What is it but its Author to revere ? “ Or, grant it folly should a man devote His love to earth, is’t sin on earth to dote ? Sin is the beam, mere foolishness a mote. “ Can man reach God ? Can God, the Eternal King, Value the worship puny man can bring, Or care if man refuse the offering ? “ Well Epicurus taught, profoundly wise, When gazing upwards on the azure skies, Gods must the worship paid by men despise.’ Base sophistry unworthy a reply ! Treason against the Majesty on high, Forged by the fiend who first conceived a lie ! Nathless, if thou, indeed, wouldst comprehend Their fate who, charmed by creatures, miss their end, Creation’s annals shall their witness lend. 12 Missing the End. Book I. In thine own cause, O man, all prepossest Thou canst not fairly judge: - self-love will wrest In judging self, the judgment of the best. No outward signs betray the plague of sin,— How the wrecked soul is devastate within,— How crime and hideous loathsomeness are kin! God judges right; could we His judgments trace On others passed, of like but nobler race, Gifted like men with reason, will, and grace,— If they, by falling short, God’s vengeance earn, We may our fate from their sad history learn, And in another’s woe our own discern. Canto 4. Wreck of the Angels. 13 BOOK I. CANTO 4. WRECK OF THE ANGELS. Now to a bolder flight aspires my song, And, winged to contemplate the Angelic throng, There needs the eagle’s eye and pinion strong. Angel of God ! Cecilia’s heavenly friend, Oh, by that aid which to the glorious end Thou didst to her, the martyr-bride, extend— Help her poor client : clear his mortal sight,— Renew his strength for his adventurous flight; Direct his pen the mystic truth to write. Thou too, Ignatius, who hast shown thy son The strife ’twixt good and ill, in Heaven begun, Nor ending till probation’s course hath run : Teach him the Angels’ overthrow to tell;— How from their pristine state through pride they fell, Hurled down from highest Heaven to lowest Hell. i4 Wreck of the Angels. Book I. Or ever years revolved, or time began, A nobler standard of succession ran, And aeons measured out duration’s span. God called the Angels from the void immense ;— He spoke the word, and on the instant thence They sprang in beauty, grace, intelligence. Not as in gardens here on earth below Flowers charm the sight in tesselated row, And thousands of one kind in clusters grow,— Not so the Empyrean hosts : those Spirits blest Are all of perfect loveliness possessed ;— Each shines with gifts distinct from all the rest. And if the humblest of the sons of light Exceeds imagination’s loftiest flight, What rule shall gauge the burning Seraph’s height ? Yet, high o’er Seraph and o’er Cherub there, Throned in majestic state beyond compare Sat Lucifer, sublime, supremely fair. Canto 4. Wreck of the Angels. 15 He was the seal of God’s resemblance,—wise,— Perfect in all the gifts that Angels prize ; Admired by all the legions of the skies ; Arrayed in beauty ; every precious stone, Ruby and emerald, sparkled in his zone ; A blaze of brilliants, shone his dazzling throne. When he from chaos first to being sprang, And the Trisagion with Michael sang What jubilance through Heaven’s bright mansions rang ! O happy, happy, happy Morning Star ! Surely no root of bitterness can mar Such blissful being with discordant jar ! Ah ! there are mysteries in God, that daze E’en Angels’ vision—and while Angels gaze Only humility sustains the blaze. One attribute in God outshines the rest, By Spirits that are godlike loved the best, And of true loyalty unerring test. Wreck of the Angels. Book I. 16 God’s Power and Love, both infinite, are peers: His Power evoked from nought the boundless spheres, His Love made God Himself acquaint with tears. A mother,—sure her love all love outvies,— Herself forgetting, every need descries Of her sick babe, and every want supplies : And, though compared with God’s, alike in name, A mother’s love is but a painted flame, The mode of showing both is aye the same: The Son, to prove His Love, resigns His crown,— Incurs for man His Heavenly Father’s frown,— And on the shameful Rood His Life lays down. He would the treasures of His Love exhaust,— Stoop to the lowest .depth, to save the lost;— God is made Man, for man a holocaust. ’Twas now probation of free-will began When through the Angelic hosts the mandate ran : “Ye Sons of God, adore the Son of Man!” Canto 4. Wreck of the Angels. 17 Angels so highly dowered needs must know That when the Lord is pleased His Will to show, E’en highest Seraphs prompt submission owe. Say, it seemed strange for Angels to adore One, Who a form, to theirs inferior, bore, Still, God, they knew, is just : what needs there more ? To each commandment by God’s Wisdom planned Is blind obedience due from every band Of those blest Spirits who around Him stand. So, when the mystic words are uttered o’er The bread,—we hear the mandate as of yore : “Ye sons of men, the Son of Man adore! ” Touchstone that surely tests the humble soul :— Fatal to that fell pride that spurns control : — Disparting those who win or miss the goal. Alas for Lucifer ! Lost, lost through pride ! Woe to the legions who God’s wrath defied ! E’en Michael paled at their dread suicide. c ■i 8 Wreck oj the Angels. Book I. The scornful Angel, gazing on the Child, That looked so weak, was racked with passion wild, And impotent with rage God’s Word reviled. “ By us, ye gods,” he cried, to madness driven, “ Shall worship to a thing of flesh be given ? Sooner let Heaven’s strong vault in twain be riven!’’ And Michael too the Eternal’s bidding heard ; No sooner uttered was Jehovah’s word, But his prompt act God’s sovereign right averred. He railed not; but rebuked the apostate horde ;— “ Ah ! Be thou, chidden, Satan, of the Lord ! Who is as God ? ” and lovingly adored. Gabriel obeyed, and won the future grace To announce how Mary’s Seed should sin efface, How Truth and Mercy, reconciled, embrace. And Raphael too stood forth, the chief of seven, And, proof against revolt’s contagious leaven, A loyal vassal, praised the Lord of Heaven. Canto 4. Wreck of the Angels. 19 Thousands of thousands true as heretofore, Ten thousand times a hundred thousand more, Ancient of days, Thy Son made Man, adore. The apostate Lucifer, with desperate throe, No longer Godlike, but God’s reckless foe, Conceived and gendered never-ending woe. Woe for the thousands who in deadly hate, Against God’s First-born Son confederate, Share the lost Seraphs miserable fate. And he, Arch-fiend, who taught them to rebel, Once foremost, Heaven’s glad harmonies to swell, Sinks down to ply the drudgery of Hell. Since, then, God judges right, and we can trace His verdict passed on Heaven’s apostate race Gifted, like us, with Reason, Will, and Grace ; Since Angels through revolt God’s vengeance earn, From their dread wreck we may our peril learn, And, in another’s woe our own discern. 20 Wreck of the Angels. Book I. If God on Angels laid in wrath His Hand,— Who dared through pride against His Will to band,— Say, how shall man, prevaricating, stand ? Jesus, my Lord and God, Thine anguished brow Thorn-crowned upon the Cross, I see Thee bow,— Thee, my Creator : how is it that Thou Hast stooped so low as to resign Thy Throne,— - To make our manhood and its woes Thine own,— And die man’s death, forsaken and alone ? Ah ! Thou hast died for me and for my sin ! And now, abashed, my Jesus, I begin To ponder what Thou art, what I have been. What have I done for Jesus hitherto ? What is there now for Jesus’ sake I do ? How shall I henceforth prove to Jesus true ? In dust and ashes at Thy Feet I bow, Christ Crucified is all my solace now : Ah ! Gracious Lord, what else but Love art Thou ? Canto 4. Wreck of the A ngels. 21 When from my wretched self I turn my eyes To Jesus’ Cross, and see how Jesus dies, My hard heart melts : my tongue for mercy cries. O Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! heal my soul,— All that rebels in me by grace control And in Thy tender Mercy make me whole. 22 Wreck of the World. Book I. BOOK I. CANTO 5. WRECK OF THE WORLD. The heavens declare how Angel myriads, driven By reckless pride, against God’s Will have striven, And missed their end,—too proud to be forgiven ! See them refuse obedience and rebel Against their Lord and God : see how they fell Hurled down from highest Heaven to lowest Hell! Since, then, our God spared not the Angelic band,— The first and noblest creatures of His Hand,— Say, how shall man, prevaricating, stand ? Let earth now bear her witness. Cast thy mind On bygone ages, when the glowing rind Cooled into solid mass to lodge mankind. At first the molten round, through ether hurled Crested with billows by the steam-blast curled Impetuous, on its central axis whirled, Canto 5. Wreck of the World. 23 A ball of fire : then hardening more and more, The surface by degrees is crusted o’er,— A continent, without or sea or shore. Nor long remains the pristine shell entire; Nature’s conflicting energies conspire And shatter it, by vacuum and fire. The surface cooled and rent, the aqueous steam Is turned to water, and the torrents stream, Filling the hollows from the parts supreme. Next by detrition of each igneous block, Shattered and pulverized by shock on shock, Grew, neath the waves, earth’s skeleton of rock. Thus, in due course of time, earth, sea, and air Fitly proportioned by the Almighty’s care, The fabric of the world among them share. Nor long unfertile :—here, the humid fens Flush green with mosses ;—there, gaunt specimens Of towering fern-trees line the darkling glens;— 24 Wreck of the World. Book I. And all for man ! Stem, root, and frond and cone At rivers’ mouths in confluent masses thrown, Then by incumbent strata pressed to stone, Serve now with genial warmth man’s hearth to cheer, Light up his nights with noon-day brightness clear, And speed his iron courser’s winged career. Earth teems with herbs,—with shrubs of varied form,— Sweet flowers where-round the bees industrious swarm,— And gnarled oaks, defiant of the storm. For man, God made the sun, to give him light,— For man, God made the moon, to rule the night,— The stars of heaven to guide his helm aright. For man, life throngs the caverns of the deep, Portentous lizards through the marshes creep, And high in air the bat-winged monsters sweep. God made four-footed beasts on land to stray, Races and kinds that long have passed away, And left but footprints in the plastic clay, Canto 5. Wreck of the World. 25 Or shattered frames of once colossal bone Found petrified in each terrestrial zone, Of mammoth, megathere, and mastodon. And gentler beasts were made for man’s behoof, To dwell with him domestic, ’neath his roof, Furnish his table, or supply the woof. Nor lacked there harmony of sound ; along The shady groves carolled the feathered throng, And filled the vault of Heaven with sweet song. The earth was carpeted with blossoms fair, Scented with fragrant perfume ; all was there A father’s love could for his child prepare. When God had thus for man the earth arrayed, He fashioned man : the noblest work essayed Of earthly things, in God’s own image made;— Raised to His likeness by the gift of grace, Destined, in guerdon for the well-run race, To gaze on his Creator, face to face. 26 Wreck of the World. Book I. At first, or e’er the aeons had begun, When nought else was, the Father and the Son And Holy Ghost consorted, Three in One :— And God saw man, whom He created good, How all alone, companionless, he stood, And, in compassion, from the neighbourhood Of that rich spring of love, the human heart, He drew man’s true but fairer counterpart, Woman, the paragon of heavenly art; For Woman, surely, in our Lady seen, Reigns sov’reign o’er all creature-hood, I ween, In nature, grace, and glory, peerless Queen. And man was happy now : the soil he trod Bore juicy grapes and sweet charouba pod ; Eve was his helpmate, and his Father, God. It was the wish of God that joys so pure Should, as man’s heritage, from loss secure E’en to the end of time unchanged endure. Canto 5 Wreck of the World. 2 7 So we and all men else, in every age, Like our first parents, had been just and sage, With perfect happiness our appanage. Man would love man as brother loves his brother, Brethren of God-made-man, sons of His Mother, All holding dear God’s likeness in each other. The wolf would with the playful lambkin sport, The spotted leopard with the kid consort, The weanling’s hand the basilisk would court: No hurt should be on earth, destruction none;— All one in God, and with each other one;— One happy fellowship through God the Son. But when rejoicing in such promise fair We with th’ ideal, the world we see, compare, What meets our startled gaze ? A wreck is there ! Alas ! alas ! alas ! Look round and see : Our parents ate of the forbidden tree, And we are slaves whom God created free. 28 Wreck of the World. Book I. The rich are full of bread and full of pride, The poor are starving at the rich man’s side, Their kinship and their brotherhood denied. God’s Church is there to save the drowning wretch, God’s Priests are there the saving hand to stretch, God’s Sacraments, God’s grace from Heaven to fetch. But men are fools, and care not to be wise ;— But men are knaves, and honest thrift despise ; All are bewitched with sophistries and lies. And whence these ruins that the soul appal ? Whence, from so happy state, so dismal fall ? One sin of disobedience caused it all. A sin that seemeth small became the seed Of future wars and lust and carking greed, Of direst crime in thought and word and deed. Yea! seemeth small: but when the Great Supreme, To prove true loyalty’s untainted stream, Chooseth some test, however small it seem, Canto 5. Wreck of the World. 29 Then doth a character such trifle bear As may in justice’ balance stand compare With gravest proofs, and their importance share. Nay, more! Does God a sign of fealty ask To try man’s heart, the easier the task, Revolt the greater malice would unmask. If man a crown on cheapest terms may win— Terms that assay the dubious ore within— To pluck an apple may be deadly sin. If crime through one such sin the earth o’erflows;— If earth now travails with distressful throes, Sad heritage of sin-begotten woes : If towns and country with corruption reek, If, e’en among the poor, ’tis far to seek For innocence : if icy winds and bleak Have froze the world through sin,—one sin,—but one : Then, if my soul in sin has riot run, What of this soul of mine ? Undone ! Undone ! 30 Wreck of the World. Book I. No outward signs betray the plague of sin,— How the wrecked soul is devastate within, How crime and hideous loathsomeness are kin. God judges right: when we His judgments trace Passed on the Parents of the human race, And see their fallen offspring lost to grace, We know sin’s guilt must be in us the same: Right must like judgments ’gainst like crimes proclaim : So let us hang our heads for very shame. Ah ! God is Love ! Mankind no sooner lost, But Thou wilt find a cure, whate’er it cost: No sacrifice could Love like Thine exhaust! Straightway Thy Love invented a reprieve; A Woman, made immaculate like Eve, Of God the Holy Spirit shall conceive: And in the Eternal Counsels ’tis decreed,— Henceforth the Woman and the Woman’s Seed Shall crush the Serpent’s head, and man be freed, Canto 5. Wreck of the World. 3i Lo ! Calvary ! and I am dull, nor care For all my Maker agonises there, Mourning in accents sounding like despair, — Despair of man’s repentance : there He lies On the hard Wood, “ My God, My God,” He cries, “ Oh, why hast Thou forsaken Me ? ” and dies. O hearts of stone, more senseless than the block Of hardest granite from the Nubian rock, How can ye jeer and wag the head and mock ? Nay, O my soul, God, Who is just and true, Charged not the guilt on Gentile or on Jew; — My sin it was, my Lord and Master slew ! My sin it was that swung the scourge and rod : My sin that underfoot my Saviour trod, My sin that shed in streams the Blood of God. • / Jesus, my Lord and God, Thine anguished brow Thorn-crowned upon the Cross, I see Thee bow, Thee, my Creator : how is it that Thou 3 2 Wreck of the World. Book I. Hast stooped so low as to resign Thy Throne,— To make our manhood and its woes Thine own,— And die man’s death, forsaken and alone ? Ah ! Thou hast died for me and for my sin ! And now, abashed, my Jesus, I begin To ponder what Thou art, what I have been. What have I done for Jesus hitherto ? What is there now for Jesus’ sake I do ? How shall I henceforth prove to Jesus true ? In dust and ashes at Thy Feet I bow, Christ Crucified is all my solace now : Ah ! Gracious Lord, what else but Love art Thou ? When from my wretched self I turn my eyes To Jesus’ Cross, and see how Jesus dies, My hard heart melts: my tongue for mercy cries. % O Jesus, Jesus, Jesus ! heal my soul,— All that rebels in me by grace control And in Thy tender Mercy make me whole. Canto 6. The Wrecked Soul. 33 BOOK I. CANTO 6. THE WRECKED SOUL. Angels have lost through sin their thrones on high ; Our great First Parents miss their end and die ; Turn now thy gaze to where the hapless lie, And see there some lost soul, a soul like thine, Designed by Wisdom, Power, and Love Divine, Among the Saints in endless light to shine. Within the compass of a single day (So do the records of man’s death-roll say), Some hundred thousand souls are swept away. Review the myriads of that living host;— Think’st thou that all have won the blissful coast? — Ah ! put thy question to some shipwrecked ghost, Or, since a shipwrecked soul to woe up-given, To dire and dour remorse by conscience driven, Would heed thee not, all bonds of kindness riven : D > 34 The Wrecked Soul. Book I. Ask his once Guardian Angel to declare What evil chance or choice has brought him there, By God forsaken,—victim of despair; And he will tell thee that he missed his end :— God’s will had been that he should live God’s friend, And in due time to God’s Right Hand ascend :— Look now ! Behold him now,—death’s river crossed, By fiery passion, rage, and anguish tossed, Lost to himself and God : for ever lost! We at his christening heard his sponsors pray, That born anew through water’s mystic spray, The traces of the fall might pass away. He was a winsome child ;—his only care Was with his playmates guileless joys to share ; He was a boy in soul and body fair : H is loving mother watched him as he grew, Taught him to lisp his prayers and love them too, To fly from evil and be frank and true. Canto 6. The Wrecked Soul. 'j O Frequent his father’s wise experience gave Counsel to guide him life-long to the grave, Training- his soul the scoffer’s taunts to brave. Oh, how I watched him as he grew apace, Oh, how I noted each advance in grace, Oh, how I prayed that he might win the race! Gentle he was, and quick to pity stirred, Brave for the right and constant to his word, God’s greater glory to all else preferred : I deemed it certain that a soul so pure Would to the hour of death unstained endure,— Free from offence, in God’s fast love secure. Look now ! Behold him, death’s dark river crossed, With storm of passion, rage, and anguish tossed, Lost to himself and God,—for ever lost! What was it marred the lineaments divine ? What has so disappointed God’s design ? One sin ! one deadly sin ! one sin like mine ! O l The Wrecked Soul. Book I. 3 ^ He knew not what sin was : but, on a time, Read a lewd story of a shameful crime, By some vile poetaster set to rhyme, And nature stirred within ; and he would know What kind of thing sin is :—like poison slow The lust of knowing spun the web of woe : And so he read and learned, and learned and thought, And each new thinking new temptation brought, And in the fancy strange conceptions wrought. Oh, how I trembled for my foster child ! Others I knew, from innocence beguiled, To utter ruin whirled by passions wild. Long was the conflict in my poor child’s heart; Subtle the pleadings against conscience’ smart; Countless the waverings to either part. He looked and longed, and conscience cried within Take heed ! take heed ! thou knowest ’tis deadly sin : And deadly sin to endless death is kin. Canto 6. The Wrecked Sotd. 37 Wilt thou thy fealty to thy God deny ? Wilt thou rebel against the Lord most High ? Wilt thou the justice of thy God defy ? Wilt thou thy conscience drug to fatal sleep ? Behold the pit of Hell ! How dark ! how deep ! With eyes wide open wilt thou take the leap ? Closer and closer still the brink he nears ; Comrades deride with scoffs his girlish fears : One thought arrests him still:—his mother’s tears. “ Once, only once, the luscious draught I’ll drain ! Once bathe in rapture !—once,—and then refrain ! ” He took the plunge,—and sank,—nor rose again. Lost! and no tears can now the past retrieve ; Lost, and for ever ! Lost without reprieve ! I cannot pray for him ; I can but grieve. He found sad welcome in the abyss below The demons, ’mid the flames that round him glow, Jeer him and laugh to scorn his helpless woe. 33 The Wrecked Soul. Book T. Himself in evil fixed, from good averse, Curseth his mother and himself: ah ! worse, Blasphemes the God Who made him, with a curse. A wreck through sin ! one sin, and only one! And I mayhap in sin have riot run ; What of this soul of mine? Undone! undone! No outward signs betray the plague of sin, How the wrecked soul is devastate within, How crime and hideous loathsomeness are kin. God judges right; when we His judgments trace, Passed on a sinner of the human race, And see a fellow-creature lost to grace: We know sin’s guilt must be in us the same : Right must like judgments gainst like crimes proclaim ; So let us hang our heads for very shame. He sinned but once, what sins have I to own ? One or one thousand ? ’Tis to me unknown, I cannot count them up ! God knows, alone. Canto 6. The Wrecked Semi. 39 God has been patient : my each deadly sin Provoked His Justice, but He reined it in ; Bore till worn out,—then would again begin. Each time He bore with me, another debt I owed Him for His patient love ; and yet Each pardoned sin did but new sins beget. And so the malice was increased the more By the ingratitude I now deplore ;— Sin’s guilt exaggerated o’er and o’er! Sin has its measure : by the Almighty led Abram roamed south-wards, from the Jordan’s head, And nomad-like his flocks and cattle fed : God barred the land’s possession for a time Because, though great, the Amorrhaeans’ crime Up to the chalice’ brim had yet to climb. Sin has its measure : one grave sin may fill The cup of one man and with justice ; still God may forbear in mercy at His will, 40 The Wrecked Sold. Book I. E’en to the millionth ! Son of man, beware ; Thou know’st not whether there be room to spare : Twere madness then but one more sin to dare. Take heed ! Take heed ! If thou but sin once more, Thou mayst accomplish the predestined score ; Justice may claim its rights,—and all is o’er! Oh, with what patience hast Thou borne with me: I might have perished : but I still am free,— Free to be saved and find my rest in Thee ! Look on the Features of Thine only Son ; His Cross redeemed me when I was undone;— His Blood, my ransom, hath my pardon won. My sin it was that swung the scourge and rod, My sin that underfoot my Saviour trod, My sin that shed in streams the Blood of God. Jesus, my Lord and God, Thine anguished brow Thorn-crowned upon the Cross, I see Thee bow, Thee, my Creator : how is it that Thou Canto 6. The Wrecked Soul. 4i Hast stooped so low as to resign Thy Throne,— To make our manhood and its woes Thine own,— And die man’s death, forsaken and alone ? Ah ! Thou hast died for me and for my sin ! And now, abashed, my Jesus, I begin To ponder what Thou art, what I have been. What have I done for Jesus hitherto ? What is there now for Jesus’ sake I do ? How shall I henceforth prove to Jesus true ? In dust and ashes at Thy feet I bow, Christ Crucified is all my solace now : Ah ! Gracious Lord, what else but Love art Thou ? When from my wretched self I turn my eyes To Jesus’ Cross, and see how Jesus dies, My hard heart melts : my tongue for mercy cries. O Jesus, Jesus, Jesus ! heal my soul,— All that rebels in me by grace control And in Thy tender Mercy make me whole 42 Self-arraignment. Book I. BOOK I. CANTO 7. SELF-ARRAIGNMENT. The Angels, by their wreck, the heavens appal; The world lies wrecked through our First Parents’ fall; A shipwrecked soul despairs in endless thrall. Wouldst thou the power of a cause discern ? To its effects thy thoughts attentive turn, And thou from them its energy shalt learn Men speak of tempests in the Euxine Sea, When gallant ships with all their panoply Were dashed to pieces on the fatal lee : Of oaken hull, strong spar, and sturdy mast, Shattered and splintered by the cyclone’s blast, No yard-length plank was on the seaboard cast. Sin’s wreck,— God’s union with His creature riven,— Tells the fell power of sin,—sin unforgiven,— Tells me my doom, if I go hence unshriven. Canto 7 . Self-arraignment. 43 Therefore, O God, bowed down with contrite shame, I, for Thy dear Son’s sake, Thy pity claim; True, I have sinned, but He assumes the blame. I will arraign myself, and in that day When Satan, man’s accuser, seeks his prey, Thou shalt the roaring lion keep at bay. For ’tis the gracious law in God’s domain, Who judge themselves shall not be judged again, Nor shall the foe the self-accused arraign. Such lot be mine ! Moved by contrition’s smart, Against myself I’ll act the Judge’s part And probe the deep recesses of my heart. Grant me of Thy dear love the keenest sense; Grant me to know the depth of my offence; Grant me the tears of contrite penitence. Beyond all thought is God supremely great, Sublimest Angels, in their loftiest state, In His dread Presence bend annihilate ; 44 Self-arraignment. Book I. And if the meanness of the culprit swell The measure of the crime, what tongue can tell How great must be my guilt, if I rebel ! Do I but gauge aright my little worth,— V A unit ’mid the millions o’er the earth, I pass unnoticed in its ample girth. The millions of mankind, how few are they Contrasted with the sons of endless day, The Saints’ and Angels’ numberless array ? Then God’s High Majesty to nothing brings All Saints and Angels,—all created things, All human countings and imaginings. Oh, what am I, poor worm, that I should dare The rights of God with creatures’ claims to share, And with God’s worth a creature’s worth compare ? And if I trace the havoc sin has wrought,— My soul a wreck to dire confusion brought,— I sink to less than nothing,—I am naught! Canto 7 . Self-arraignment. 45 Worms’ food my body in the day supreme, My soul impervious to true Wisdom’s beam,— A tainted fount whence poisoned waters stream. And I, this less than atomy,—sin’s slave,— Have turned against my God the gifts He gave,— And dared His great Omnipotence to brave. I, with an intellect contract, confined, To truths of highest import dull and blind, Have dared to challenge God’s Omniscient mind. I, weak and froward, fickle child of dust, Though made for justice, have betrayed my trust,— Have done despite to Him Whose Name is Just. I, who, forgetful of man’s brotherhood, Resent a friend’s unkindness, have withstood My loving God, the infinitely Good. O, all ye Creatures of my outraged God, While, ’neath my feet, His sacred Law I trod, How have ye held your hand and stayed the rod ? 46 Self-arraignment. Book I. Nor only once, but seventy times and more, How great soe’er, though infinite, the score, Still have ye borne with me; aye, o’er and o’er! Ye Angels, swift avengers of the Lord, Have proved my guardians,—my reprieve implored,— And turned aside the edge of Justice’ sword. Me, Saints of God, can ye for client own ? Can ye ingratitude like mine condone, And plead a cause like mine before the Throne ? Ye skies, ’thwart which God’s thunderbolts are driven, Forged amid darkling clouds by lightning riven, To me the freshening dews of life have given. Thou blazing orb of day, thou dazzling Sun, With power man’s brain with maddening stroke to stun, For my behoof thy daily course hast run. The Moon, the Stars, earth, water, air, and fire, Birds, beasts, and fishes, all alike conspire, To work my weal in one harmonious choir. Canto 7 . Self-a rraig nment. 47 ’Tis God hath charged Saints, Angels, Creatures, all, To guard me from the ills that might befall, And e’er too late my soul to penance call. Towards me, my God, what patience hast Thou shown,— How hast Thou made Thy sweet compassion known,—- Thy Goodness I confess;—my guilt I own ! Look on the Features of Thine only Son;— His Cross redeemed me when I was undone! H is Blood, my ransom, hath my pardon won. My sin it was that swung the scourge and rod :— My sin that underfoot my Saviour trod: My sin that shed in streams the Blood of God. Jesus, my Lord and God, Thine anguished brow Thorn-crowned upon the Cross, I see Thee bow, Thee, my Creator : how is it that Thou Hast stooped so low as to resign Thy Throne,—• To make our manhood and its woes Thine own,— i And die man’s death, forsaken and alone ? 4 8 Self-arraignment. Book I. Ah ! Thou hast died for me and for my sin ! And now, abashed, my Jesus, I begin To ponder what Thou art, what I have been. What have I done for Jesus hitherto ? What is there now for Jesus’ sake I do ? How shall I henceforth prove to Jesus true ? In dust and ashes at Thy Feet I bow, Christ Crucified is all my solace now : Ah ! Gracious Lord, what else but Love art Thou ? When from my wretched self I turn my eyes To Jesus’ Cross, and see how Jesus dies, My hard heart melts: my tongue for mercy cries. O Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! heal my soul,— All that rebels in me by grace control And in Thy tender Mercy make me whole. Soul of Christ Jesus, sanctify my soul; Body of Christ, Thy virtue make me whole; And Blood of Christ, my passions’ thirst control : Canto 7 . Self-arraig n ment. 49 Cleanse, Water from Christ’s Side, my heart from stain : Passion of Christ, support me in my pain : Let me not call on Thee, clear Lord, in vain. Within Thy Sacred Wounds Thy servant hide : Let nothing ever part me from Thy Side: Defend me from the foe’s malignant pride. Call me what time my passing bell shall toll, And bid me, with Thy Saints, reach Thee my goal, To praise Thee while for aye the ages roll. 50 The Punishment of Sin. Book I. BOOK I. CANTO 8. THE PUNISHMENT OF SIN. God has indeed been patient! long ago, Had not His tender mercy fenced the blow, I had been sentenced to the realms of woe. * Still can the wiles of sin my soul amuse ? Still can my heart the call of grace refuse ? Still can I dare God’s patience to abuse ? If so, then let the fear of Hell appal My senseless heart; let fright and terror call,— Call to quick penance,—ere the tree shall fall : For, as the tree shall fall, the tree shall lie, Or South or North :—and if it fall awry Thenceforth all hopes of grace and mercy die. The tenderest Heart e’er throbbed in human breast, The kindest Lips e’er human thought expressed, Have told us of the reprobate’s unrest; Canto 8. The Punishment of Sin. 5i How sin at last must e’en God’s patience tire And light the inextinguishable fire, — The meed of untamed wrath or lewd desire : — The doom of such as reckless quit the source Of grace and good and end in sin their course, Gnawed by the undying worm of dour remorse. God hath in love revealed the endless woe ; As a fond mother, pointing where below At the cliff’s base the ocean’s waters flow, Doth to the giddy brink her darling bear, Show the gaunt precipice beneath and scare Her heedless little one from venturing there. % If I then tempted and by passion blind Fail my good God with love to bear in mind, Let fear at least my fickle nature bind :— Fear of the terrors of the Judgment Day;— Fear of the great Tribunal’s dread array;— Fear of the hopeless reprobate’s dismay, 52 The Punishment of Sin. Book . In presence of' my sins I stand aghast : Teach me to know their malice in the past, And knowing, hate them long as life shall last. Teach me to know, and knowing, make me hate My present sin-wrought waywardness of state;— Unapt to good, unstrung and enervate. % Teach me to know, and knowing more and more The wiles that have bewitched me heretofore, Make me all pride and greed and lust abhor. Teach me to shun my own by others' woe, That sad, sad misery in Hell below, Which they who love Thee not, must undergo. Some counted just by men but steeped in pride, Presumptuous, oil their shallow wits relied; Would not believe, and unbelieving died. Others, correct in faith, in life depraved, Drowned in the pleasures by their passions craved, Stifled their conscience and God’s threat’nings braved. Canto 8. The Punishment of Sin. 53 Of these who now, despairing and forlorn, In anguish writhe, the butt of endless scorn, Some met their doom or ever Christ was born : Some, whilst He deigned as Man with men to dwell, And sowed the word of truth in Israel, Though He was nigh to save, unhouseled fell. Some, since in glory He began to reign, His arts of mercy lavished all in vain, Chose for their lot the heritage of pain. Blessed be God ! He willed not I should die And find my doom with these; He still is nigh And His Ear open to my contrite sigh. % God is a God of tenderness, I trow ! How great His Love, His Saints and Angels know; —- What can I do in turn mv love to show ? ✓ Jesus, my Lord and God, Thine anguished brow Thorn-crowned upon the Cross, I see Thee bow,— Thee, my Creator : how is it that Thou 54 The Punishment of Sin. Book I. Hast stooped so low as to resign Thy Throne,—• To make our manhood and its woes Thine own,— And die man’s death, forsaken and alone ? Ah ! Thou hast died for me and for my sin ! And now, abashed, my Jesus, I begin To ponder what Thou art, what I have been. What have I done for Jesus hitherto ? What is there now for Jesus’ sake I do? How shall I henceforth prove to Jesus true ? In dust and ashes at Thy Feet I bow, Christ Crucified is all my solace now : Ah ! Gracious Lord, what else but Love art Thou ? When from my wretched self I turn my eyes To Jesus’ Cross, and see how Jesus dies, My hard heart melts : my tongue for mercy cries. O Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! heal my soul,— All that rebels in me by grace control And in Thy tender Mercy make me whole. Canto 8. The Punishment of Sin. 55 Soul of Christ Jesus, sanctify my soul: Body of Christ, Thy virtue make me whole: And Blood of Christ, my passions’ thirst control : Cleanse, Water from Christ’s Side, my heart from stain : Passion of Christ, support me in my. pain : Let me not call on Thee, dear Lord, in vain. Within Thy Sacred Wounds Thy servant hide: Let nothing ever part me from Thy Side: Defend me from the foe’s malignant pride. Call me what time my passing bell shall toll, And bid me, with Thy Saints, reach Thee my goal, To praise Thee while for aye the ages roll. «o 6 Desolation. Book I. BOOK I. CANTO 9. DESOLATION. A grief there is, past nature’s strength to endure,— Or be the sufferer novice or mature,— Wherefrom no child of Adam is secure. This is the grief of desolation,—good To brace the soul to Christian hardihood, And bid it suffer as Christ’s liege-man should. ✓ ’Tis mostly true, that he who walks aright And bears him bravely in life’s daily fight, Christ’s yoke finds easy and His burden light; How weak soever in himself and frail, • The tempter’s arrows disappointed fail To pierce the Christian warrior’s close-knit mail. But life from trial free gives little scope With Satan’s malice manfully to cope;— To practise humble faith or patient hope. Canto 9. Desolation. 57 Therefore that men may apprehend the laws Of joy and sadness, God at times withdraws The sweets of grace, true consolation’s cause, And leaves the substance only; then amain Will Lucifer, alert, each fibre strain By force or fraud to win man back again. Then the poor soul is darkened o’er with cloud ; Then do the hungry passions cry aloud ; Then do desponding thoughts the fancy crowd. The soul lies sad, disconsolate, and prone, As all forsaken, as left all alone ; Hope well-nigh quenched ;—e’en Faith itself seems flown. And in all this,—so far,—may be no guilt; There may be fearful danger, an thou wilt, Testing the base whereon thy faith is built: ’Tis in such case, the man who knows not prayer, In pleasure’s giddy vortex drowns his care Or drains the cup to stifle his despair,— Desolation. Book I. Or e’en, with gloomy spleen and maddened brain, Succumbs to irksome sadness’ overstrain, And, suicidal, snaps life’s thread in twain. Not so the meek and humble; well they know It is the Hand of God that lays them low, And that for wisest ends He treats them so. As a wise father doth his son chastise For actual faults, so God with penance plies His froward children but to make them wise; As a fond mother,—ere its strength be grown— Teaches her child, unstayed, to walk alone, God hides Himself to make our weakness known ; Or as Creator, with design foreplanned, He from His creature, man, withdraws His Hand, That man man’s nothingness may understand. Fear if thou wilt, but faint not, child of God,— In love, not wrath, thy Maker wields the rod :— The feet of Justice are with Mercy shod. nto 9. Desolation. 59 Thou wouldst be like thy Lord ? Retrace His Life, And thou shalt find it spent in ceaseless strife, With griefs and pains and desolation rife. God wills to teach thee patience : meekly bear The load that weighs thee down : thy soul prepare, — Nor for one moment yield thee to despair. Say, the Sun’s disc with clouds is darkly crossed,— ’Tis for brief season ; and, when all seems lost, Bright skies again shall cheer the tempest-tossed. Often ere now, as in capricious mood Of changeful season, clement now, now rude, Thou hast found sorrows on thy joys intrude. If then thou’rt now in trouble, thou canst tell What will befall by what erewhile befell:— The clouds will pass: and all again be well. In consolation thou wilt ne’er presume:— To-day, fair sunshine may the skies illume, The flowers may lose to-morrow their perfume. 6o Desolation. Book I. Alike, be equable in weal or woe, Bless God, with thankful heart, in gladness’ flow, Bless God, with patience, when the ebb runs low. The harder pressed, the nearer brought to bay, Still, in the battle, a bold front display, And never fear but thou shalt win the day. Satan is craven ever, and in fight,— Resisted face to face, he takes to flight,— Baffled and foiled by merest neophyte. But if thou wince, so surely as the shrew Makes her faint-hearted spouse his weakness rue, Satan o’er thee will act the tyrant too. As the vile wretch who would his friend betray And the chaste honour of his wife essay, Slinks like a poltroon, when unmasked, away; Satan would have thee in thy breast conceal The sore, which wouldst thou to God’s priest reveal, One word of ghostly charity might heal. Canto g. Desolation. 61 Alert, keep watch and ward against surprise, Guard thy heart's fortress well; the foe espies Each weaker point, and there his engines plies. He with malicious cunning prowls around; — Do thou his craft and artifices sound, Nor let one spot be unprotected found. So shall all stratagems of evil fail;— So shalt thou, child of God most High, prevail; Angels shall greet thee and thy triumph hail. END OF BOOK I. 3 s CS -4 j£ S -is 4 |L I tf $ THE END OF MAN. BOOK II. BOOK II. CANTO i. THE FOLLOWING OF CHRIST. When back the curtain of the night is drawn In the far East the pearl-bespangled dawn Reveals the glistening brook and verdant lawn,— Lights up the landscape, wakes the joyous birds, Rouses to fertile toil the lowing herds, And buoys man’s earth-bound spirit heavenwards. So, when we cease with saddened thought to muse The upas-blight of sin's empoisoned dews,— Again we breathe and trace the sun-lit hues O Of grace and life ! Cecilia, Virgin Bride ! Pray for thy client, lest some secret pride May from his ken the heavenly pathway hide And spoil his quarry! for, henceforth, his song Would brace the soul of man with purpose strong As towards its destined goal it climbs along. F 66 The Following of Christ. Book II Cease to do evil !—henceforth quit thee well ! Yet cast one glance behind on that drear fell Which thou hast crossed and looks so terrible; On those dark mountains and that painful road Which galled thy feet till Christ His grace bestowed And freed thy sin-bound spirit from its load. Thank God, the sinner’s free!—the slave, that erst Lift up his eyes towards Heaven nor could nor durst, Finds at the touch of Christ his fetters burst,— And thus he cries: “O Lord, Thine Ear incline, And hear my prayer : I seek no Will but Thine : What wilt Thou have me do ? Be Thy Will mine! ” So prays the rescued sinner : and, in turn, The Voice Divine : “ My son, if thou wouldst learn The way of peace, and God’s true Will discern, “ Give ear to a similitude ; A King, Whose brows were circled with the golden ring By gift Divine, was charged by Heaven to bring Canto i. The Following of Christ. 67 “ The world of infidels beneath his sway;— And so he summoneth without delay All Christian lords and peoples : they obey, “ And, gathered by the sound of trumpet’s clang, They haste to hear their suzerain’s harangue, And on his words in listening silence hang. “And thus he spoke: ‘Tis God, Who bids me tell You, my liege subjects, whom I love so well, How we must war against the infidel. “ ‘ So many provinces in darkness lie,— So many nations know not the Most High,—- So many millions, unbelieving die. “ ‘ God would bring grace to all,—and with your aid, J ust terms on either side and loyal made, He bids me enterprise the Grand Crusade. “ ‘ I will be with you and your hardships share For you and me shall be one equal care,— The same our lodging and alike our fare * 68 The Following of Christ. Book II. “‘We will in turn the soldiers’ duties take;— Sleep in our turn, in turn our slumbers break ; Leader and men, like toils shall comrades make. “ ‘ The victory’s certain : even now for them Who share my toils, with many a sparkling gem There is prepared a princely diadem.’ ” Thus home the motives for the warfare driven,— Canst doubt the answer to their suzerain odven ? Would not the welkin with acclaim be riven ? Who would not interrupt his easy life,—• Quit for a space his children, hearth, and wife, To exploit his prowess in the glorious strife ? And some, perchance, before their prince’s eyes, Beyond the rest their zeal would signalize, And win a nobler still and higher prize. Such men, with lavish hands and hearts, would pour Into their King’s Exchequer all their store : Would sacrifice their all and wish it more. Canto i. The Following of Christ. 69 Such the similitude ! and now behold The truth which it conveys ; the world is sold Bond-slave to evil ; charity is cold ; Faith is well-nigh extinct: our God and Lord, No longer by ungrateful man adored, Is slighted and insulted or ignored. God sends His Son ! See Him in lowly guise As Son of man beneath Judea’s skies His strategy of mercy exercise : He treads, attended by a chosen band, The Jordan’s valley and Tiberias’ strand, The towns and homesteads of the Holy Land. He calls His subjects now as He did then To wage a war of love on erring men And win them back to their liege Lord again. Leading His hosts ’gainst unbelief and pride, He bids them in His destiny confide, And eives Himself to combat at their side. o 70 The Following of Christ. Book I!. “We will,” He says, “as comrades charge the foe; I in the forefront of the strife will go; You shall with Me achieve his overthrow. “Would you My triumph and My glory share. Together we must toil and hardships bear. And what I dare to do, you too must dare. “ The victory’s certain ;—even now for them Who share My toils, with many a sparkling gem There is prepared a heavenly diadem.” What man could eloquence like this resist ? Who would not under such a chief enlist ? By whom would victory on such terms be missed ? And such true hearts and staunch as know Christ best Will their entire devotedness attest By sacrifice of all by them possessed : To those who know how Christ in anguish strove,— How Christ, thorn-crowned, for them bright garlands wove, To offer all they have, were treasure-trove! Canto i. The Following of Christ. Eternal Lord, Who art the Lord alone, Helped by Thy grace, Thy Majesty I own And lay my holocaust before Thy Throne : Before Thy Goodness, boundless as Thy Might, Before Thy gracious Mother, in the sight Of all Thy Sons and Daughters robed in white I solemnly declare my wish,—my will,— My firm resolve, if by such purpose still I may more perfectly the end fulfil Of my creation, I will follow Thee, And bear all wrongs that may be laid on me,— Affronts, upbraidings, slights shall welcome be. I will be poor, as Thou wast poor below,— At least in spirit, yea, and really so, Wouldst Thou on me so great a boon bestow. Such is my wish such, Lord, my rooted will,— Such my determinate resolve, if still I may the better thus my end fulfil. 72 The Following of Christ. Book I. Soul of Christ Jesus, sanctify my soul; Body of Christ, Thy virtue make me whole ; And Blood of Christ, my passions’ thirst control : Cleanse, Water from Christ’s Side, my heart from stain : Passion of Christ, support me in my pain : Let me not call on Thee, dear Lord, in vain. Within Thy Sacred Wounds Thy servant hide : Let nothing ever part me from Thy Side: Defend me from the foe’s malignant pride. Call me what time my passing bell shall toll, And bid me, with Thy Saints, reach Thee my goal, To praise Thee while for aye the ages roll. Canto 2. The Incarnation. 73 BOOK II. CANTO 2. THE INCARNATION. The Son of God, Whom Choirs Seraphic hymn,— In whose compare e’en Seraphs’ flames are dim, Whose chariot is the strong-winged Cherubim, From Heaven to earth descends, in might arrayed, Bearing His Sacred Oriflamme displayed, To lead His chosen in the Grand Crusade. What pageants herald His descent to earth ? What proud insignia mark His Kingly worth ? What royal circumstance surrounds His Birth ? He calls not Mother some illustrious Oueen, But, choosing an estate obscure and mean, Is in contempt surnamed the Nazarene. God it had grieved to see His work undone, And all mankind to foul rebellion won, Meshed in the toils by Satan’s envy spun: 74 The Incarnation. Book II. And when, to save the world, the Triune planned The Infinite descent, the Son o’erscanned The interspace no creature could have spanned, And calmly guaging the profound abyss, Bent on restoring fallen man to bliss, Humbled Himself that Ruth and Right might kiss. God looked upon the shipwrecked world ; alas ! In every clime, through every rank and class What found the Holiest but a seething mass Of pestilent corruption ? Rich and poor, Noble and peasant, literate and boor, Saxon and Kelt, Slav, Northman, Indian, Moor : Some turning night to day to swell their treasure; Some grasping honours without stint or measure ; Some sensual revelling in wanton pleasure: Some being born, some sick, some hale and sound, Some smiling with the orange blossoms crowned, Some in death’s throes, some in their cerecloth wound. Canto 2 The Incarnation. 75 Here women making traffic of their charms. Or terror-struck by real or false alarms,— Scared, trembling victims mid the strife of arms. Here, men in peace, with long laborious toil Reaping the hard-earned product of the soil; There, men at war, athirst for blood and spoil ! Such was the chequered, ever-varying scene The Eternal looked on from the blue serene, Intent with pardoning love to intervene. Now, as my strains still loftier soar and higher, O, may the Holiest by His Breath inspire The trembling chords of my unskilful lyre. God, Three in One, is Infinite, Immense, Essential Wisdom, pure Omnipotence, Passing all creatures’ intellect and sense ! Lo ! here the vaulted azure ; God is here ! Above, below, around, afar and near; He with His Presence fills the starry sphere. 76 The Incarnation . Book II. Double the radius of the tranquil blue; — Stretch into space beyond ;—yet holds it true Our God is present in that distance too. Add space on space and lose thyself in thought Thou hast not yet the first beginning caught ; Rest! Be content! Thy utmost strain is nought! ’Tis strange indeed the Boundless Infinite Should deign to stoop from His essential height And quit the realms of everlasting Light;— Should not disdain a humble Virgin’s womb, While in the distance pain and suffering loom, And at the last the loneness of a tomb. It is no marvel that the narrow mind Of grovelling materialists should find A blaze, like lightning-flash, to strike them blind In this deep mystery of God ! Yet, list! Bethink thee: doth Infinity consist Only in space or power ? Peer through the mist Canto 2. The Incarnation. 77 That hides thy treasure from thee and confess,— God must, no less, infinity possess In Love and Charity and Tenderness. Ah ! God is good ! His very Name is Good ! Grant power were baffled, yet His Mercy could Draw Him to condescend to creaturehood. As human efforts fail to measure space, So must they lack far more the power to trace The fathomless abyss of Love and Grace: Yet may created love advise us well And something of the wondrous nature tell Of Love Divine by distant parallel. Look at the living thing the optic glass Brings to thy ken, to which a turf ol grass Seems like a continent too wide to pass: I See how those microscopic creatures share God’s ever-watchful, all-preserving care, And then, for greater love towards man prepare. 78 The incarnation. Book II. Those are God’s foot-prints, but in man we trace His image rational ; nay more, by grace, His likeness still, though sin the lines deface. Though painted flame is but a lifeless sign, Yet to the utmost human love refine And, from a Mother's, judge of Love Divine. What then doth demonstrate the ardour best Of the strong yearnings of a Mother's breast Or its degree most vividly attest ? Lo! Bethlehem’s mothers clasp their babes around, While Herod’s slaves would dash them to the ground;— The mothers claim the death their infants found. Love for the object loved will venture all,— Drain to the dregs the vinegar and gall And go on loving still till death befall. True, need were none th’ Eternal should be slain To raise the dead in sin, to life again, For God in fine is Lord and Sovereign. Canto 2. The Incarnation. 79 Yet pardon granted without pain or cost Seemed to our God Love’s great occasion lost To lose Itself and all Its stores exhaust. God was made Man ! Seek not His earthly course To poise and weigh by purblind reason’s force It springs from Love as boundless as its source! Yes ! God is Good! His very Name is Good! Say Power were baffled, yet His Goodness would Stoop from His Throne and put on creaturehood ! At Nazareth dwelt, within a lowly cot, A Virgin pure from fallen natures blot. Unknown to men and peaceful in her lot : There Mary, child of Joachim and Ann, And spouse to holy Joseph, prayed and span, Predestined Mother of The Word made Man. ’Twas hers the Prophet’s words with care to read, And with the Lord Who prompted them to plead For the quick advent of the Promised Seed. 8o The Incarnation. Book II. Too long had Lucifer, man’s deadly foe, Deluged the world with sinfulness and woe :— How, as she pondered, did her longing grow To see that Second Eve from whom God said As from a cloud the Just One should be shed:— Who, by her Seed, should crush the serpent’s head. She conned Isaias’ mystic words and there Read of the Virgin Spouse, elect to bear At once King David’s Lord and David’s Heir: Whose Name is Wonderful,—in Counsel great,— Adonai,—God, Whose simple Will is fate,— Peace-loving Prince,—Supreme in Kingly state,— Destined the Key of sovereign power to wield,— Is God-with-us, our buckler and our shield,— The Lord our Justice, from high Heaven revealed. How did the child of Ann reflect with awe On all that Moses figured in the Law, On all that Prophets of Messias saw. Canto 2 . The Incarnation. 81 And oft-times when the Temple’s Courts she trod, Of her she thought whose type was Aaron’s Rod That blossomed almonds by the Ark of God,— Greater than Sara, Abraham’s honoured wife,— Greater than her, the joy of Isaac’s life, Rebecca, in whose womb with dubious strife Nations contended in the rival twain, Jacob and Esau,—nor could Lias train Of many a chrism-anointed Sovereign Make her that Virgin’s peer;—nor Anna’s joy, As mother of the guileless Temple-boy, Samuel, of Heli’s fate the herald coy. Judith, whose beauty charmed the Assyrian host By Holofernes led to Japhet’s coast, Could not of glory like that Virgin’s boast! Nor could the Queenly Esther, though her prayer Won the Great King her countrymen to spare, With God’s unrivalled favourite compare. G 82 The Incarnation. Book II. While thus the sense of prophecy she learned, Mary for that blest woman’s advent yearned Through whom Eve’s curse should be to blessing turned. O, how she prayed, though in the lowest place Among her handmaids to behold her face And though from far to share her smile and grace ! At Nazareth, in silence and in prayer The Virgin watched,—none else save God was there,— While spring-tide breezes cooled the midnight air. With fervent zeal she Israel’s God implored;— “ Hasten the coming of Thy Christ, O Lord ! Let man again find peace to life restored ! i “ As Moses, when oppression plied its worst, To Israel’s sons Thine ancient deeds rehearsed, Roused them to freedom and their fetters burst ; “Now is it time Thy Goodness to display:— O, pierce the darkness with light’s cheering ray ;— Dispel the baleful mistchange night to day ! Canto 2 . The Incantation. 8 “ Inspired by Thee, the Prophet Daniel speaks And counts the tale exact of seventy weeks;— Haste Thee ! the morning light the Orient streaks ! “ All nations are expectant ! not a clime But feels the dawning of the gracious time When Justice shall prevail o’er sin and crime. “ Thou, Who art Israel's God, the Great I AM, Fulfil Thy promise made to Abraham, Send forth for Sion’s peace the heaven-born Lamb ! ” And Mary paused ;—when, lo ! a radiant guest Brought from the skies the answer to her quest, Never till now preferred by lips so blest. To her the Angel, from the Triune sped, Bending in loving reverence his head, “ Hail, full of orrace ! the Lord is with thee ! ’ said, “ Blest thou above all women ! ” Mary heard The Angel’s Salutation, and his word A sacred tremor in her bosom stirred. 8 4 The Incarnation. Book She listened : then, with modest shame suffused, To neither pride nor doubt his words abused But on their import in meek silence mused. The Angel, answering her secret thought, Then told her how from Israel’s God he brought Glad tidings of great joy with mercy fraught. “ Be not afraid : the Lord hath sought around A helpmate for His purpose; thou hast wound Thy love about His Law, and He hath found “Thee proper to His Will! The quest is done: He chooseth thee for Mother to His Son, And JESUS thou shalt name the Holy One. “ He, Light of Light, shall o’er the nations beam And endless ages as they onward stream Shall humbly own His sway as King supreme.” Mary in meek astonishment replied, “ What wondrous meaning may thy greeting hide ? Angel of God, I am a Virgin-Bride!” Canto 2 . The Incarnation. 85 “ The Lord respects thy spotless maidenhoodd,” The Angel answering said; “ Thou shalt be wooed By the All-Holy Spirit; He shall brood “In mystic shadowing o’er thee and His Power Descend on thee in fertilizing shower, Making thy breast the Son’s unsullied bower. “ The Holy One Who can with gladness fill The sterile wife, is able if He Will To keep a Virgin-Mother, Virgin still. “ Thy Cousin, lo ! whose barrenness so grieved Her and her husband, hath a son conceived And towards her term six months hath now achieved.” Still silence reigned in Heaven : the mighty scheme,— The end of Moses’ Law,—the Prophets’ theme,— God’s honour to repair and man redeem, Hangs on a Virgin’s breath ! if she decline, The Word is not made Flesh ! if she resign Her will to God’s Will, men shall grow divine ! 86 The Incarnation. Book II. Troubled, not disconcerted, she beheld Unfolded clear the mysteries of eld And all the clouds that compassed them, dispelled. She saw, should she consent, the griefs in store,— The dark horizon sorrow-mantled o’er With griefs more sad than earth e’er knew before. f She spoke; “ Behold the handmaid of the Lord, Be it to me according to Thy Word.” And Gabriel straight the Word made Flesh adored. CJ At Nazareth in silence and in prayer The Virgin Mother watched:—God-Man was there; And spring-tide breezes cooled the midnight air. Eternal Lord, Who art the Lord alone, Helped by Thy grace Thy Majesty I own, And lay my holocaust before Thy Throne : Before Thy Goodness boundless as Thy Might, Before Thy gracious Mother,—in the sight Of all Thy Sons and Daughters, robed in white,— Canto 2. The Incarnation . 87 I solemnly declare my wish,—my will,— My firm resolve,—if by such purpose still I may more perfectly the end fulfil Of my creation, I will follow Thee And bear all wrongs that may be laid on me ;— Affronts, upbraidings, slights shall welcome be. I will be poor as Thou wast poor below, At least in spirit; yea, and really so, Wouldst Thou on me so great a boon bestow. Such is my wish; such, Lord, my rooted will,— Such my determinate resolve if still I may the better, thus, my end fulfil. 88 The Visitation. Book II. BOOK II. CANTO 3. THE VISITATION. The Virgin spoke the word and it was done: Henceforth the Word of God, the Eternal Son, With Manhood is indissolubly One : The Son of God, the Son of man shall be, And Mary, by the same Divine decree, Mother of God to all eternity. Flesh of her flesh, and of her substance fed, Deriving from her blood, the Blood He shed, God-Man begins the life on earth He led, All unesteemed, all hidden from mankind, Unknown to His own people or maligned, Pursued by foes as virulent as blind. The tabernacle of His Mother’s womb Shrouds Him in darkness silent as the tomb, While death and anguish in the distance loom. Canto 3. The Visitation . 89 Here He obeys, as in the Mystic Bread, Borne, Sacred Housel, to the sick mans bed, Hither and thither carried, like one dead. And she who bears Him in her virgin breast, By the Divine communication blest, Is still, while most exalted, lowliest. Joseph she serves with sweet endearing arts, Yet hides her secret in her heart of hearts, Nor e’en to him the mystery imparts. Exalted high above all woman-kind,— Her grace transcends the Angels’ gifts combined,— Yet, by her lowliness, is all consigned To utter silence! Joseph knoweth not The King of Kings hath made his humble cot His Royal Home, and sanctified the spot For future pilgrimage to utmost time : Mary adores her privilege sublime With higher love than Seraphs e’en can climb. 90 The Visitation. Book II. She calls to mind the word by Gabriel spoken To vouch his truth,—the heaven-accorded token,— Sure warrant that God’s Word shall not be broken. She longs her cousin’s happiness to share And wait upon her with assiduous care, And see her own Son’s promised harbinger. That herald child like all of human race. Scarred with the stain of Adam’s sad disgrace, Had of primaeval justice lost the trace : But if of Jeremias erst, we read E’en from his mother’s womb, so God decreed, That he from sin original was freed,— Much more behoved it that this unborn child Should by prenatal grace be reconciled, And from his mother’s womb spring undefiled. Therefore, that nought the hallowing grace might stay, God’s Mother rose in haste and sped her way From Nazareth southwards, where the mountains lay Canto 3. The Visitation. 9i That compassed ancient Cariath-arbe’s site,— The Levite city, refuge in his flight Who chanced his neighbour to the death to smite. Where Ephron led of old his flocks to browse And pledged his farmstead with his nation’s vows, Dwelt Mary’s cousin with her speech-reft spouse. Six months before when, taken from the urn, The lot on Zachary had fixed his turn The incense in the Holy Place to burn ;— When Sion’s sons, who mourned her widowhood, Prayed to the Lord of Hosts for Sion’s good ;— Hard by the Altar’s right an Angel stood : He bade the priest be glad, for God had heard The people’s prayer ; and then, to seal his word, He thus to Zachary the proof averred : “ Thy wife, the term of nature duly run. In thine old age shall bear to thee a son, And thou shalt name him John,—God’s Gracious one. 92 The Visitation. Book II. “ Thou shalt have joy and gladness ; o’er the earth Many shall joy exulting in his birth :— Great before God and men shall be his worth ! “He shall not taste the drinks the sense that drown ; On him the Spirit shall with might come down, Elect from birth to wear a martyr’s crown. “ Through him, the herald-star of truth and grace, Shall many a one of Israel’s chosen race Turn from the paths of sin and seek God’s Face. “In spirit and in might Elias, he Shall in the children’s hearts from sin set free Revive their fathers’ hopes ; and men shall see “ A perfect people, ripe to meet the Lord,— To the true wisdom of the just restored,— And God, according to His Will, adored!” The Angel ceased : the priest in wonder raised His eyes, and on the heavenly vision gazed In hesitating doubtfulness amazed,— Canto 3. The Visitation. 93 Then asked, while mournfully he shook his head, As one whose hopes of fatherhood were dead, “ How can I credit what thy lips have said ? ” In turn the Angel with remonstrance grave Thus to the doubting priest his answer gave, “ Is it in vain thy confidence I crave ? “ Lo ! I am Gabriel who, thou knowest well, To such as love the Lord His mercies tell, But wrath to such as gainst His love rebel. “ Therefore shalt thou be reft of speech and dumb, And pass the months in silence wearisome Till the fulfilment of my words shall come.” Six months had passed when Mary with her Child,— What time the rains had ceased and summer smiled,— Sped o’er Samaria’s plains and Juda’s wild : Legions of Angels, to the eye unseen, Attend the footsteps of their new-made Queen, Obsequious here as in the blue serene. 94 The Visitation. Book II. Wayfarers look,—move on with heedless air,— And unconcerned pass by the blessed pair, * For no one of them dreams God-Man is there. • Now, on the horizon, Hebron’s turrets rise And Mary ponders in what loving wise She may her cousin with glad joy surprise. There in the freshening breeze of eventide Elizabeth her pleasing labour plied And nursed her garden in its floral pride. She sighed, still counting up the nine months’ sum,— For Zachary had now six months been dumb,— Three more must pass before relief shall come. Mary drew near her ;—at her gentle tread The venerable matron turned her head, And Mary beaming with affection said: “ Elizabeth ! my own dear cousin !—What!— Dost thou not know me ? ” Still she answered not,—- But fixed in awe-struck rapture, on the spot Canto 3. The Visitation. 95 Sank on her knees :—the Virgin, hastening near Fell on her neck and said; “Why! cousin dear! Why, it is Mary ! what is there to fear ? ” “ Mary ! I love thee ! O, I love thee well! I love thee dearly, more than tongue can tell,— Yet art thou shrouded in a sacred spell “ Which now resolves itself :—above the rest Of women art thou blest; and more than blest The Fruit that harbours in thy Virgin breast! “ The babe within my bosom leaped with glee At thy sweet greeting : whence is this to me The Mother of my Lord should come to me ? ’ God, Who His Spirit on His Prophets poured, Inspired in Mary now a nobler chord And His meek handmaid magnified the Lord ! “ My soul doth magnify the Lord ! My tongue To praise the God of my salvation strung With joyous hymn and jubilance hath rung ! 96 The Visitation. Book II. “ Behold, He hath looked down from Heaven to earth And graced His handmaid, albeit nothing worth :— All generations in the world’s wide girth Shall call me Blessed ! For the Mighty One, Holy His Name, to me great things hath done, And ruth to men of peace, from sire to son. r “ His Arm hath marvels wrought; the proud man’s mind And vain conceits He hath to shame consigned,— Put down the mighty and raised up the hind. “He feeds the hungry, fills them with good things, Confounds the rich, and mocks their reckonings, And all their hoarded wealth to nothing brings. “ Now He consoles His Israel, as before He promised to the Patriarchs of yore, To Abraham and His seed for evermore.” The three months passed : and he who then was born Shall, when adult, of judgment Israel warn; Herald to Him Who winnoweth the corn. 'Canto 3 . The Visitation. 97 Eternal Lord, Who art the Lord alone, Helped by Thy grace, Thy Majesty I own, And lay my holocaust before Thy Throne. Before Thy Goodness, boundless as Thy Might, Before Thy gracious Mother, in the sight Of all Thy Sons and Daughters, robed in white,— I solemnly declare my wish,—my will,— My firm resolve,—if by such purpose still I may more perfectly the end fulfil Of my creation, I will follow Thee And bear all wrongs that may be laid on me;— Affronts, upbraidings, slights shall welcome be. » I will be poor as Thou wast poor below, At least in spirit; yea, and really so, Wouldst Thou on me so great a boon bestow. Such is my wish; such, Lord, my rooted will,— Such my determinate resolve, if still I may the better, thus, my end fulfil. H 9 8 The Nativity . Book II. BOOK II. CANTO 4. THE NATIVITY. Men scorn thee, Nazareth ! Yet Judea’s coasts Own not a town that greater lustre boasts Than thee, the sojourn of the Lord of Hosts,— The home of Mary, God’s own Mother blest,— The home of Joseph, whom her lips addressed An foster-father of the Holiest. Moons wax and wane: soon must bright summer yield Its flowers to wintry floods in vale and field, And Mary’s motherhood shall be revealed. Oft did the Scribes in Mary’s hearing quote The words Micheas of Emmanuel wrote, How Bethlehem, from Nazareth so remote, Should be His Birth-place. Can the Prophet’s word Have its fulfilment ? — Lo ! with joy she heard Spread far and wide a rumour that concurred Canto 4. The Nativity. 99 Straight with the Sacred Text: Octavius laid Commandment on the world there should be made A general census,—and the world obeyed. Ah ! little dreamed the Caesar in his pride He was but leading Joseph and his bride To keep in David’s city Christmas-tide ! God in Three Persons,—by the world unknown,— (So few He finds His Majesty to own), Surveys the earth from His Empyreal Throne: He is forgotten; all His power ignored; His grace no longer sought nor aid implored ;— Scarcely a remnant left to serve the Lord ! What wonder therefore that the blessed pair, God’s earthly parents, like contempt should share Without the world’s regard or thought or care ? They did not move but Cherubs with them came And Seraphs compassed them with ardent flame;—- Yet no man welcomed them or asked their name ! IOO The Nativity. Book II. Deep in their hearts their mystery they hide With mutual trust and solace satisfied : Minded by God, what matters aught beside ? They mount the hill, they journey through the dell; Traverse the land where Israel’s rivals dwell, And sit to rest awhile by Jacob’s Well And no man heedeth them : to God the Son, No sign of honour or respect is done : The presence of His Godhead known to none. They near the walls of Bethlehem: at its gate Its elders ranged in patriarchal state Each claimant to the Royal Stock await: The great, for passport, needs but give his name : The rich, well-nigh unasked, makes good his claim; The poor, though not refused, is passed with shame. Joseph advances, in his turn, to assert His right to David’s lineage: sharp and curt The answer given;—the menials all alert Canto 4. The Nativity . 101 Thrust him aside to give his betters way:— He yields while they their title-deeds display, Then proves his royal blood no less than they. Yet David’s self contrasted with the King In Mary’s bosom could no title bring To kingly worship, worth the honouring. Nor does their claim allowed, the twain exempt From further slights:—lacqueys and knaves unkempt Greet with rude mockery their next attempt A shelter in the public inn to find :— The greed of gain made host and hostess blind: The winter’s blast itself was less unkind! Where ring the merry song and loud carouse The keepers of the inn refuse to house Mary, God’s Mother, and her heart-sore Spouse! The sun is set,—night closes in,—it snows,— It’s dark,—it freezes hard,—the sharp wind blows : Where shall God’s Mother go to seek repose? 102 The Nativity. Book II. My God ! and can I murmur when at times I suffer from rude seasons, untoward climes, Or with my tastes not every trifle chimes ? Shall Mary in the bleak cold winter shiver ? Shall Mary like the trembling aspen quiver ? And I presume that, like some tranquil river, My days shall pass in comfort and in ease, And never aught befall but what I please ? My selfish will the rule of God’s decrees! Joseph, for Mary’s sake, distraught with care, Taking no thought of self, seeks here and there Some roof to screen her from the midnight air: At last he lights upon a ruined shed,— Exposed all round,—ill-covered overhead,— And gently there the Queen of Angels led. Such rough, ungarnished lodging grieved him sore;— Nought but the naked earth to serve for floor;— No shutters ’gainst the cold,—no air-tight door! Canto 4. The Nativity . 103 Meanwhile his gentle spouse with tender hand Soothed him, at her distress well nigh unmanned, And bade him think how all by God was planned : How God would have His Son exposed to scorn,— In cold and poverty would have Him born,— Of all that savours of indulgence shorn. He listened, and with silence acquiesced, And in return the way-worn Virgin pressed To seek on some poor scanty straw her rest. He sallied forth, and with what haste he could Sought some provision in the neighbourhood;—• Returned ;—and at the stable’s threshold stood : He saw the Mother rapt in ecstasy; Her new-born Infant resting on her knee;— The Son of God—and Son of man—is He! She lays Him in the manger : swathing bands Confine in straitening folds His Feet and Hands Whose Will not all creation’s force withstands;— 104 The Nativity. Book II. An ox and ass, the only living things That honour, while the Angels fold their wings, The presence-chamber of the King of Kings ! At Bethlehem, in silence and in prayer Mary and Joseph knelt: God-Man was there: And the keen west wind chilled the midnight air. Eternal Lord, Who art the Lord alone, Helped by Thy grace, Thy Majesty I own, And lay my holocaust before Thy Throne : Before Thy Goodness, boundless as Thy Might, Before Thy gracious Mother, in the sight Of all Thy Sons and Daughters robed in white,— I solemnly declare my wish,—my will,— My firm resolve,—if by such purpose still I may more perfectly the end fulfil Of my creation,—I will follow Thee, And bear all wrongs that may be laid on me ;— Affronts, upbraidings, slights shall welcome be. Canto 4, The Nativity. 105 I will be poor, as Thou wast poor below, At least in spirit; yea, and really so, Wouldst Thou on me so great a boon bestow. Such is my wish ; such, Lord, my rooted will,— Such my determinate resolve, if still I may the better, thus, my end fulfil. Soul of Christ Jesus, sanctify my soul: Body of Christ, Thy virtue make me whole : And Blood of Christ, my passions’ thirst control. Cleanse, Water from Christ’s Side, my heart from stain Passion of Christ, support me in my pain : Let me not call on Thee, dear Lord, in vain. Within Thy Sacred Wounds Thy servant hide : Let nothing ever part me from Thy Side: Defend me from the foe’s malignant pride. Call me what time my passing bell shall toll, And bid me, with Thy Saints, reach Thee my goal, To praise Thee while for aye the ages roll. io6 The Shepherds. Book II. BOOK II. CANTO 5. THE SHEPHERDS. All held its wonted course: o’er moor and fell Sleep-fostering night had spread her ebon spell; Bright shone the glittering stars : the tinkling bell Now here now yonder mid the Hocks was heard Breaking the silence: the tall palm tree stirred With gusts capricious; the night-loving bird, The horned owlet, through the shadows swept With oary wing: o’er Bethlehem slumber crept:— Bethlem unconscious of her treasure slept. Upon the hills were shepherds, quick to catch Each sound that broke the calm ; too glad to snatch Some fitful sleep, sheltered by meagre thatch From the keen wind :—good men, they gossiped o’er Quaint tales of shepherds,—famous men of yore:— How Jacob’s self the shaggy sheepskin wore;— Canto 5. The Shepherds. 107 How David brandished, too, the shepherd’s crook— (So Rabbis read from Samuel’s Sacred Book)— And, a mere stripling, aim effective took And smote to death Goliath and the bear: At last the Elder bade the troop prepare For needful slumber with their wonted prayer. “God is my Shepherd! He, in pastures fair Hath set my feet and made my dwelling there: By flowing streams I breathe the fresh’ning air. “ Safe from bewildering falsehood’s tangled maze His Hand hath led me by the pleasant ways Of grace and justice: to His Name be praise! “Yea, though I tread alone the dreary heath. Unharmed He keeps me from the lion’s teeth, From storm above, from pit-falls spread beneath. “ Thou art our Shepherd, Lord, and Thou alone ! As a good Shepherd, Thou dost know Thine own! As a good Shepherd, by Thine own art known! io8 The Shepherds. Book II. “ Thou, Who art God of Israel in the height, Unbounded in Thy Wisdom, Goodness, Might, Thy sheepfold guard from ravening wolves by night: “ Thou Who art named the Great I Am Who Am, Revealed to Moses and to Abraham,— Send forth for Sion’s peace the Heaven-born Lamb. “ Make good the words of ancient prophecy;— Send forth the longed-for Day-spring from on high, With rays of hope light up the eastern sky. “ How long dost Thou delay ? O Lord, how long ? Thy people’s foes are numerous and strong,— Too heavy on them weighs the oppressors’ wrong! “ Haste, Lord, to save! O haste Thee to redeem ! ” Ended their prayer, behold a dazzling beam From heaven to earth with sudden brightness stream : That ray the earthward path from heaven defined Of a celestial messenger, assigned To bear good news of mercy to mankind. Canto 5. The Shepherds. 109 With palpitating hearts,—with breath suppressed,— Throbbing with fear,—with wondering awe possessed The Shepherds gazed upon the Heavenly Guest. But soon kind words announcing God’s good-will From the bright Angels gracious lips distil And the poor Shepherds’ hearts with gladness fill. “ Fear not ye Shepherds! it hath pleased the Lord, The Lord in your night orisons adored, To grant the boon your prayers e’en now implored. ‘‘And to engage you more to praise Him well, I come, glad tidings of great joy to tell For you and all His people Israel. “Lo! To your great contentment] be it known,— This very night hath God His Mercy shown,— In Bethlehem born, the Heir to David’s throne! “And this shall be the token; ye shall find The Infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, reclined In a poor manger-bed with rushes lined.” I IO The Shepherds. Book II. Then straightway with the Angel there was seen A host of Spirits, whose resplendent sheen Bathed in pure light white rock and mountain green ; And thus they sang—the heavenly minstrelsy,— “To God all glory in the Highest be! And peace on earth, to men from malice free! “We praise Thee, O our God: Thy Name we bless, We praise Thee, Lord ! Thy Goodness we confess, And our whole being bounds with thankfulness. “O praise the Lord our God, the heavenly King! To the Almighty Father glory bring! Let heaven’s high vault with praise to Silo ring! “ O praise the Lord our God! O Lamb Divine ! Son of the Father! By that heart of Thine To earth’s poor denizens Thine Ear incline! “Thou, Who the sins of men dost take away,— Thou, Who in Heaven and earth hast boundless sway, In mercy hear Thy suppliant children pray. Canto 5. The Shepherds. 111 “For Thou alone art great! Thine equal, none! The Lord and the most High! The Father’s Son! With Him and with His Gift, in glory One!” Their carol sung, the Angels sped their way To the bright realms of everlasting day And there on heaven-strung harps renewed their lay. Meanwhile the Shepherds to each other said, “Hence let us hie to Bethlehem; to the shed,— And seek the Saviour in His manger-bed ! “ How good is God Who hath to us revealed, To us poor humble shepherds of the field The secrets from the great and wise concealed.” So on they sped quitting the pasture wild While mutual communings the way beguiled And sought at Bethlehem the Holy Child. How long till they arrive it seems to wait! How their hearts beat when reaching Bethlehem’s gate They look for traces of Messias’ state! I 12 The Shepherds. Book II. They mark the token and with Mary find The Infant, wrapped in swaddling clothes, reclined In a poor manger-bed, with rushes lined. They chanting in His praise their simple hymn Survey each feature and each tiny limb Of that sweet Child Who made the Cherubim! Nor empty-handed to the stall they came,— They bring the Lamb of God, a lamb,—in name And silent sufferance with His the same. They told how Angels, from the skies come down, Bade them go seek in Bethlehem, David’s town, The promised Christ, the Heir to David’s crown. At early dawn, their humble worship paid,— First earthly heralds of the gospel made, They tell the neighbours where the Christ is laid. The most derided and gave little heed,— Told them ’twas theirs, their silly flocks to feed And keep to shepherding, if they would speed! Canto 5. The Shepherds. 113 Yet some there were in Bethlehem more wise Who, with religious sense of deep surprise Heard Shepherds speak of tidings from the skies. Mary, already in God’s ways adept Each treasured utterance in her bosom kept, Smiled when her Infant smiled, sighed when He wept! Meanwhile the favoured Shepherds homeward sped,— A halo of rejoicing round them shed,— ' And far and wide the gracious tidings spread. And He is God Who lieth in the stall, Ruler of all and yet unknown to all! Strange such self-emptying should e’er befall! Say, what could bring the Eternal God so low ? And why the learned and the great forego And to the ignorant His secrets show ? God chooseth for Himself a low estate, To teach mankind the pride of life to hate And make no count of honour’s glittering bait The Shepherds. Book II. 1 14 Blest they who set on earthly joys no store! For them wide open stand Heavens golden door, And they shall tread as Kings its sapphire floor. Eternal Lord, Who art the Lord alone, Helped by Thy grace, Thy Majesty I own And lay my holocaust before Thy Throne : Before Thy Goodness, boundless as Thy Might, Before Thy gracious Mother, in the sight Of all Thy Sons and Daughters robed in white,— I solemnly declare my wish,—my will,— My firm resolve,—if by such purpose still I may more perfectly the end fulfil Of my creation,—I will follow Thee, And bear all wrongs that may be laid on me ; — Affronts, upbraidings, slights shall welcome be. I will be poor, as Thou wast poor below, At least in spirit; yea, and really so, Wouldst Thou on me so great a boon bestow. Canto 5. The Shepherds. 115 Such is my wish ; such, Lord, my rooted will,— Such my determinate resolve, if still I may the better, thus, my end fulfil. Soul of Christ Jesus, sanctify my soul: Body of Christ, Thy virtue make me whole: And Blood of Christ, my passions’ thirst control. Cleanse, Water from Christ’s Side, my heart from stain : Passion of Christ, support me in my pain : Let me not call on Thee, dear Lord, in vain. Within Thy Sacred Wounds Thy servant hide : Let nothing ever part me from Thy Side : Defend me from the foe’s malignant pride. Call me what time my passing bell shall toll, And bid me, with Thy Saints, reach Thee my goal, To praise Thee while for aye the ages roll. The Circumcision. Book I. I 16 BOOK II. CANTO 6. THE CIRCUMCISION. Strange ! passing strange! almost beyond belief That God the Son, Redemption’s Head and Chief, Should stoop to poverty !—To suffer grief,— To suffer pain and anguish,—bear the smart Of cutting of the flesh and so take part In penance sore, sign of the sin-scarred heart, Seems to o’ermaster faith; and yet, ’tis true! No sooner born but He is sufferer too;— And with His growth His pains more painful grew. The octave-day is come: one week of days Mary, absorbed in rapturous love and praise, To her sweet Child adoring worship pays : But now the Law of Moses claims its own ; Her Child with trenchant cut of steel or stone Must as the Seed of Abraham be known. Canto 6. The Circumcision. ii 7 Folding their wings mute Angels watched o’er-head ; By the keen knife the Blood of God was shed, And Mary’s transpierced heart, condoling, bled. Now to the Babe Its Name the parents gave, Name of redemption to the sin-bound slave,— Jesus! Jehovah, full of might to save! J esus! Above all names supremely sweet, For God-made-Man, as man’s Redeemer, meet; Befitting well Jehovah’s Mercy-seat; Name, glorified by Angel hosts on high, Name, at the sound whereof the demons fly, The strength of those who live, their hope who die; Name that reverses sin’s primeval ban, Name that the work of grace on earth began, Name full of hope to every Christian man. Who, for their watchword, Jesus’ Name shall take Shall win the Angels’ help for Jesus’ sake, And Satan’s force with all his legions break. 118 The Circumcision. Book II. Thrice Holy, Holy, Holy, Angels sing; For they have never sinned : the Saints shall bring Hosannas thrice to Jesus, suffering King.. Who would not keep that Name he loves so well Graved on his heart of hearts, indelible, And on its sweetness, still unsated dwell ? Henceforth, because the Babe Divine hath bled A sun-like halo shineth round His Head And Angels, Shepherds, Kings, His glory spread. We, with devotion to such suffering due, Will, at His word, the self-same track pursue And daily in His strength our strength renew. He will stand by us; He shall make us strong; He, be our aid, life’s rugged path along; He in our home above, inspire our song. Blessed be His Blood in Circumcision shed ! Blessed be the smart of Jesus’ cradle-bed! Blessed be His Name by suffering merited! Canto 6. The Circumcision. 119 Eternal Lord, Who art the Lord alone, Helped by Thy grace, Thy Majesty I own And lay my holocaust before Thy Throne: Before Thy goodness, boundless as Thy Might, Before Thy gracious Mother, in the sight Of all Thy Sons and Daughters robed in white I solemnly declare my wish,—my will,—* My firm resolve, if by such purpose still I may more perfectly the end fulfil Of my creation, I will follow Thee, And bear all wrongs that may be laid on me,— Affronts, upbraidings, slights shall welcome be. I will be poor, as Thou wast poor below, At least in spirit; yea, and really so, Wouldst Thou on me so great a boon bestow. Such is my wish ; such, Lord, my rooted will,— Such my determinate resolve, if still I may the better, thus, my end fulfil. I 20 The Circumcision. Book IT. Soul of Christ Jesus, sanctify my soul : Body of Christ, Thy virtue make me whole: And Blood of Christ, my passions’ thirst control. Cleanse, Water from Christ’s Side, my heart from stain : Passion of Christ, support me in my pain : Let me not call on Thee, dear Lord, in vain. Within Thy Sacred Wounds Thy servant hide: Let nothing ever part me from Thy Side: Defend me from the foe’s malignant pride. Call me what time my passing bell shall toll, And bid me, with Thy Saints, reach Thee my goal, To praise Thee while for aye the ages roll. Canto 7. The Magi. 121 BOOK II. CANTO 7. THE MAGI. Wouldst thou unchallenged pass the narrow gate Thou must prize riches at their genuine rate, And count as dross the things that men count great. From God-incarnate’s life on earth is known How Satan and his hosts are overthrown,— Since God-made-Man made poverty His own. God in the underbrush finds foxes holes, And birds their refuge on the woodland knolls, And subterranean cloisters for the moles : Poorer than they, God’s Son was sore bestead— To rest His wearied limbs not e’en a shed! No roof to shield Him from the storm o’erhead! Best to be poor in spirit and in deed! For those towards life eternal best shall speed Who closest likeness to their Lord can plead: 122 The Magi. Book II. What then? No hope the great and rich to save? Nay, though the hazard and the risk be grave, Rich men may e’en be saints, be they but brave— Brave thro’ God’s grace to welcome and confront The world’s contempt; and, as their Lord was wont, To bear of sidelong glance and taunt the brunt. Hail to the Kings of Araby the blest, Who from the Orient star-led towards the West, Found Israel’s King, a Babe on Mary’s breast. Accustomed ’neath their cloudless skies to roam, Long had the Magi in their Eastern home Watched for the Star of hope in heaven’s high dome ; At length a star appeared—a star most strange, Such as ne’er yet had come within the range Of their observance; one ne’er seen to change Its quarter in the heavens ; fixed in the West, Not setting with the sun, it seemed at rest, Ever inviting them to make their quest Canto 7. The Magi . 123 Judea-wards. Beneath the clouds it shone From dewy morn till eve; and glimmered on When night was fain her starry crown to don. It was indeed the Star of Jacob—theme Of Balaams rapture, and its mystic gleam Ushered His Advent Who should reign supreme. But, as at Ephrata, of all who saw The new-born Saviour lying on the straw, The very Sun of Justice failed to draw More than a scanty few, so here, no more Than three obeyed, by legendary lore Hight Caspar, Balthasar, and Melchior. Led by a voice which God’s own Voice they deem, They to their fellow-countrymen would seem Dupes of a vain and unsubstantial dream: Indeed, for Magian Kings, reputed wise, To follow a chance meteor in the skies, Might well, to human wisdom, breed surprise. 124 The Magi. Book II. But there are souls by God’s own Spirit taught, Who ’neath the spell of revelation brought Discern God’s guidance in the inspired thought: When Noe, warned by God, prepared the Ark, All that beheld him set him for a mark For jest and banter .* but the Patriarch, Obedient to the gracious warning given, Floated secure, while heaven’s strong dykes were riven, And scoffers sank beneath the flood, unshriven. More wise the men of Ninive! they heard,— Kings, Princes, people, all to penance stirred,— In sackcloth and with fast, the Prophet’s word: And though from all around the Magi hear Earnest remonstrance or contemptuous sneer, Calm they persist without or doubt or fear. They quit their home; and now, for many a day— Still guided by the Star’s persistent ray, They track with confidence the Western Way. Canto 7. The Magi. I2 5 Long space o’ertravelled, .they attain one night A spot where two ways meet : who choose the right Quick gain Jerusalem ; the morrow’s light Straight brings them to the City. So they slept, And, in the morning, when the Sun had leapt Its Eastern boundary, and its rays had swept The shades of night away, the Royal Three, Sanguine with hope, from all misgiving free, Pursue the road towards Salem cheerily. But scarce accomplished their familiar prayer, They scan the heavens—the Star is no more there:— Still they pursue their way, and unaware The fault lay in themselves, they fondly deem There needs no more, by mountain, vale and stream, The onward guidance of the heaven-sent beam. They surely erred ; and had they heeded more, The Star had ruled their steps as heretofore And led them straight to Beth’lem’s stable-door. The Magi. Book II. 126 Yet was their error, through God’s guiding hand, Transformed to good: behold, a happy band Of Innocents before God’s Presence stand ! % In truth, no sooner had the murderous troop Of Herod's myrmidons at one fell swoop Rifled the cradles, but a joyous group Had sought the realms where sorrow is unknown; And there with palm and crown and blithsome tone They sport them gaily ’neath the emerald Throne. Ere long the Magi in their royal State, O’ershadowed by the olive and the date, Draw nigh to Salem at its eastern gate. They thought to find the city all astir : Themselves displayed their incense, gold and myrrh,— Gifts of their best, selected to confer Honour on Him they sought for: but in vain They looked for emblems of a Royal train, And asked and wondered still, and asked again : Canto 7. The Magi . 127 “Where is the new-born King of Judas line? Where is the King of Israel ? He Whose sign Has brought us hither? We have watched it shine “High in the heavens: as still it hovered o’er The westward road, it nursed our hope the more And we are come The Great One to adore.” And all Jerusalem was moved; the King Herod, with trouble heard them tidings bring Which seemed the gauntlet to his crown to fling : The populace indulge their wonted gibe,— Herod takes counsel of each learned scribe, Each grey-haired sage of Levi’s priestly tribe ; He asks Messias’ birth-place. They unrolled The sacred parchments which the course unfold Of Silo’s Life and Acts. Therein ’twas told That Beth’lem Ephrata had been decreed To be the birth-place of the Promised Seed Who should to victory Israel’s armies lead. 128 The Magi. Book II. So Herod bade the Royal Three repair To Beth’lem’s town and seek Messias there, And should they find Him, they with studious care Should bring him word that he, as they had done, Might join in worshiping King David’s Son, And pay his homage to the Holy One. The Magian Kings resume their onward way: The Star, lo! reappears, and blithe and gay They with exceeding joy its track obey. Straight onwards to the goal it moves along, And they with eager expectation strong And heedless of the idle staring throng Press forward till, within the oxen’s stall, They find the Mother and the Lord of all And at the Infant’s Feet adorine fall. o Their gifts they offer: gold, as to a king; Myrrh, as foreshadowing death’s bitter sting ; Incense, for ’tis to God they worship bring. Canto 7. The Magi. 1 29 Their homage paid, the Magi, angel-led, Crossing King Herod’s purpose, homeward sped And far and wide the gracious tidings spread. And what could make the Eternal stoop so low And choose three Gentile Kings His grace to know, While heartless unconcern His people show ? Ah ! men possessed of riches, learning, power, May win the prize, through faith’s still nobler dower, Crowned with humility, God’s favourite flower. Blest they who on earth’s riches set no store! For them wide open stands heaven’s golden door, And they as kings shall tread its sapphire floor ! Eternal Lord, Who art the Lord alone, Helped by Thy grace, Thy Majesty I own And lay my holocaust before Thy T hrone. Before Thy Goodness, boundless as Thy Might, Before Thy gracious Mother, in the sight Of all Thy Sons and Daughters robed in white J 130 Book II. The Magi. I solemnly declare my wish—my will,— My firm resolve,—if by such purpose still I may more perfectly the end fulfil Of my creation—I will follow Thee, And bear all wrongs that may be laid on me,— Affronts, upbraidings, slights shall welcome be. I will be poor, as Thou wast poor below, At least in spirit; yea and really so, Wouldst Thou on me so great a boon bestow. Such is my wish; such, Lord, my rooted will,— Such my determinate resolve, if still I may the better, thus, my end fulfil. Canto 8. The Presentation. * 3 i BOOK II. CANTO 8. THE PRESENTATION. Hard by the Holy City’s eastern flank, High overhanging Cedron’s rocky bank, Girded with colonnades in triple rank Of fair Corinthian shafts, there rose on high, Type of the Eternal Palace in the sky, God’s earthly Temple in its majesty. The Holiest Place of all, the inmost shrine, (Trod once a year by the Head of Aaron’s line, Whose legal priesthood figured one Divine), Stood in a void of darkness all aloof From earthly tumult; 'neath the self-same roof (But parted by the veil’s embroidered woof) Crusted with gold,—of twice ten cubits height,— The Holy Place reflected through the night The mystic candelabrum’s sevenfold light: 1 3 2 The Presentation. Book II. Outside the entrance towards the rising sun, The altar rose, where, morning-tide begun And before night-fall, sacrifice was done. . Here was the Priestly Court; on lower ground The Court of Israel girded this around; Beyond, the Gentiles’ Court inferior wound. The outmost circuit of the sacred pile Rose colonnades with lofty nave and aisle, And pinnacle high o’er the peristyle. The whole, when kindled by the morning light, Shone like a crown of gold that dazed the sight Set in a casket of pure argent white. ’Tis forty days since Jesus, Mary’s Child, For the first time on His dear Mother smiled, In sign that God and man were reconciled; Such Child, such Mother, could incur no stain, No need for them lost favour to regain Or, as the meed of guilt, submit to pain : Canto 8. The Presentation. i jj Yet that fair Child, like one conceived in sin, Though pure, as God Himself is pure, within, With circumcision would His course begin ; And though no limner’s skill can blanch the snow, Nor art make lilies whiter than they grow, Or blazon more the sun’s meridian glow, Yet, for the likeness that she bore her Son Who man to God by self-abasement won, No self-abasement would the Mother shun. So Israel’s Lily compassed with the thorn Would not the purifying ritual scorn Enjoined by Moses when a child was born. By God’s own Spirit God’s good pleasure taught The Virgin with her Spouse and Infant sought The House of God, and as her offering brought Two turtle-doves; then, passed the Temple door, Gave to the Priest of God the Babe she bore As Malachias thus foretold of yore: *34 The Presentation. Book II. “ He, Whom ye seek, by Angel hosts adored, By whom the tarnished silver is restored, Eftsoons shall to His Temple come; — The Lord!” She with the Law complies with care precise, Redeems her First-born at five sides’ price, And takes Him back for Calvary’s Sacrifice. Her Child just born and yet divinely skilled, From the first moment with omniscience filled, The offering of Himself for sinners willed: “ For sheep and oxen’s blood Thou hast not cared, Thou for Thy Son a Body hast prepared : Behold ! I come, as Saints of old declared, “To do Thy Will, O God! O God, I fain Would welcome poverty, contempt and pain; Would die for men to make them Thine again!” The Eternal Father heard the oblation made By His dear Son and through a Saint conveyed His acquiescence; long had Simeon prayed Canto 8. The Presentation. 1 35 For Israel’s consolation and had heard Whispered within his soul the Spirit’s word, That his departure hence should be deferred Till he himself had welcomed and adored Him by Whom man should be to grace restored : The promised King- of Israel, Christ the Lord. Now he beholds the Babe; and now at rest Reverent receives It, folds It to his breast, And in these words his depth of joy expressed : “ Long hast Thou nurtured hope within my heart! Now dost Thou prove, O Lord, how true Thou art Now may Thy servant hence in peace depart! “ Mine eyes have seen the Light by Thee bestowed To illume the Gentiles on the heavenly road, And with Thy choicest gifts Thy people load.” Rendering the Infant to Its Mother’s care, With earnest accent of prophetic prayer He called God’s blessing on the wondering pair, 136 The Presentation . Book II. But as the Holy Infant he restored, The Holy Ghost inspired him to record To Mary’s listening ears, the sevenfold sword Should pierce her soul! Besides the Child should be Life from the dead to men from malice free But downfall to the dry and sapless tree! Then Anna, widow of fourscore and four, Whose bended knees the Temple’s pavement wore,— Who day nor night forsook its hallowed floor Fasting and praying:—with discourse sublime Announced the fulness of Messias’ time,— The hope of Israel in a world of crime! The sacred rites prescribed by Moses done, The Virgin, folding to her heart her Son, Foretastes their common sorrows, now begun. Canto g. The Flight into Egypt. 137 BOOK II. CANTO 9. THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT. Wail, Rachel, wail! Wail for thy children slain! Thou hast endured Eve’s heritage of pain And borne the throes of child-birth, all in vain! Thy little ones lie dead! No sooner born But Herod’s ruffians from thy breast have torn Thy shrieking babes ! Heart-broken mothers, mourn ! Ah! ye may well your cherished darlings moan Like rosebuds to the winds by tempests thrown; Alas, poor mothers,—left to weep alone! Infatuate King! for all thy jealous rage Which neither years nor sickness can assuage,— King David’s Heir, Theme of the Sacred Page, Hath ’scapecl thy wrath ! No sooner had the Kings, Taught by the warning that a vision brings, Turned their steps homewards, but on outspread wings The Flight into Egypt. Book H. 133 The Lord sent down an Aneel from the skies Who bade the slumbering foster-father rise With eager haste : “ Awake ! awake ! " he cries ; “ Rise, take the Infant and His Mother hence, And fly to Egypt; nor return from thence Till I shall tell thee : fraud and violence “Would slay the Child!” Then Joseph in quick haste Led Child and Mother o’er the desert waste,-— Along the road of old by Israel traced. Strange was that journeying : the peasant’s song Sounded unhomelike as they moved along Unknown, unnoticed by the passing throng. Twice do they mark the Nile’s o’erflowing tide, Twice mark the fertilizing stream subside, And in meek patience God’s good time abide. There Joseph called to mind the Viceroy Saint, That other Joseph, whose chaste self-restraint Preserved him, like himself, from wanton taint; Canto 9. The Flight into Egypt. 139 Whose prudent counsels to King Pharao gave Light from on high to ward off death and save A nation, struck with famine, from the grave. There Mary pondered on the Paschal Lamb,— God, in the Burning Bush, self-named I Am,— And Israel rescued from the land of Cham. Two years mid strangers in a foreign land Who nor their faith nor language understand They wait till God from the Sun-Citys strand Shall call them back to Palestine : meanwhile, Finding their solace in the Infant’s smile, With love and labour they the hours beguile. What though without be foes, around distress, God knoweth how His favourites to bless ; Where Jesus is, there is no irksomeness. Whate’er God’s Will, do thou all promptness show; Whither He bids thee go, undoubting go; Hereafter, why He wills it, thou shalt know. 140 The Flight into Egypt Book II. May be He gives thee work to do at home;— May be that He abroad would have thee roam ;— Haply thou mayst be crowned with martyrdom. Saints have been formed amid the din of wars; Saints have grown perfect within cloistral doors ; Saints have been nobles, craftsmen, warriors. Thy Lord is ever-present and where’er Thy footsteps carry thee, He guards thee there; What is there for His sake, thou canst not dare ? Thy holocaust, no base begrudging spoil; At home or exiled from thy native soil Be prompt for active zeal or patient toil. Joseph God’s bidding for his guidance took, Left Israel’s plain and Cison’s ancient brook, And for the land of Cham his home forsook : Mary, from home and country banished far, While on her ears strange foreign accents jar, Finds in the Will of God her guiding star : Canto 9. The Flight into Egypt. 141 The Son, His Throne in highest Heaven resigned, Nine months is in His Mother’s womb confined,— Then swathed and in a narrow crib reclined ;— Pursued by Herod eager for His Blood,— As ’mid the thorns a rose’s opening bud, He lies concealed by Nile’s mysterious Hood. We are His soldiers! pledged with Him to climb The narrow path, whate’er the place or time, In summer’s heat or frozen winter’s rime. Thrice blest are they who severing household ties, To worldlings foolish but to Angels wise, Serve ’neath His standard under distant skies; Who brave the fervours of the torrid zone, Or icy north with seas congealed to stone, Or lands with forests unexplored o’ergrown. In peace, where pride and fulness pamper guilt,— In war, where human blood by man is spilt,— Lord! I will toil with Thee where’er Thou wilt; 142 The Flight into Egypt. Book 11. And if times come when blinded by their hate Men charge Thy Church with treason gainst the State And unjust laws her children decimate ; We will with Jesus into exile go, Content with Him to suffer utmost woe And wait the end, till God the end shall show Soul of Christ Jesus, sanctify my soul: Body of Christ, Thy virtue make me whole : And Blood of Christ, my passions’ thirst control. Cleanse, Water from Christ’s Side, my heart from stain : Passion of Christ, support me in my pain : Let me not call on Thee, dear Lord, in vain. Within Thy Sacred Wounds Thy servant hide : Let nothing ever part me from Thy Side: Defend me from the foe’s malignant pride. Call me what time my passing bell shall toll, And bid me, with Thy Saints, reach Thee my goal, To praise Thee while for aye the ages roll. Canto io. The Return from Egypt. r 43 BOOK II. CANTO io. THE RETURN FROM EGYPT. Herod may sleep in peace: his crown is safe; He holds secure the abdicated waif; None now remains his jealous wrath to chafe. ’Twas shrewdly done! Twas wisdom to efface Each sprouting scion of King David’s race, Who might pretend to reign in Herod’s place. Tyrant! That Holy Child, the Lord of Hosts, For all thy crafty schemes and empty boasts, Lives yet, secure in far-off Misraim’s coasts. And thou, base founder of a bastard line, Whose sons were treated harder than thy swine, How thinkest thou to ’scape the wrath Divine ? The hearts of mothers for their infants riven! The blood of kindred to the shambles driven ! How canst thou hope to have thy crimes forgiven ? 144 The Return from Egypt. Book II. Whilst thou for death the Infant Christ hast sought, Death and God’s judgments thou hast set at nought, And thy poor soul to direst peril brought. Snapped the bright cord and crushed the golden bowl, The pit is yawning to engulf thy soul! Are there no terrors can thy lust control ? Yet that sweet Babe, Whose Heart no rancour knows, Prays for Its would-be murderer as It goes ; To love so great, why so great hate oppose ? Full, full of tenderness is Jesus’ Heart! Adept to exercise each winning art! E’en Herod, an he would, might there find part! He dies; and in his room as Ethnarch reigns The son of Malthaca o’er Saron’s plains ; O’er Juda, and Samaria’s mountain chains; Harsh and oppressive is his iron sway; While the Trans-Jordan tract and sea-ward way The milder rule of Antipas obey. Canto io. The Return from Egypt. 145 To Joseph in his sleep an Angel spake: “ They who would slay the Babe are dead. Awake ! And homewards to the land of Israel take “The Mother and the Child.” The Patriarch rose In joyful haste, and roused from their repose His Precious charge. The prudent Virgin knows The ancient type must be fulfilled, which told Of Rachel’s first-born, who in times of old Was by his brethren into Egypt sold : Whither, when all his store of corn was done, The aged Jacob, famine’s straits to shun, Came at the instance of his Viceroy son : How when another King began to reign, And all the first-born of the land were slain, God led His rescued people home again. Thus then the holy Three,—Sire, Mother, Child,— Retrace their journey through the desert wild ;— And Angels as they go their welcome smiled. K 146 The Return from Egypt. Book II. Old scenes are greeted as they pass them by; Their hearts with memories ever fresh beat high, As Hebron, Bethl’em, Salem they descry. Anxious they learn that Archelatis reigns With iron rule o’er Saron’s fertile plains,— O’er Juda, and Samaria’s mountain chains. But since the northern parts that seawards lay, And those by Cison’s brook in peace obey Herod the Tetrarch’s more benignant sway, Joseph, dream-warned, conveys his loved ones down To Nazareth’s despised, secluded town, As honoured now, as then of base renown : / Sang not the Prophet: “ Banished out of sight, Abject and struck as with the leper’s blight, Messias shall be called a Nazarite?” And blest are they who battling with their pride, Turn from the world’s emblazonments aside, And in Humility with Christ abide ; Canto io. The Return from Egypt. 147 Who reckon at its worth the breath of fame, Shrink from the idle lustre of a name, And share their Master’s obloquy and shame. The truly great is he who stands esteemed By those whose verdict is the truest deemed,— And God may judge him best who worthless seemed ; While he who by mankind is counted great, May be by Angels judged of no estate, And by the Lord of Angels, reprobate. To Thee, O God, my holocaust is made! And at Thy Cross’s foot my honour laid; If Thou approve, what matters who upbraid ? 148 Life at Nazareth. Book II. BOOK II. CANTO 11. LIFE AT NAZARETH. Of all the flowers that, in this lonesome wild, ’Mid quickset thorns and prickly briars smiled, None was so sweet as Mary’s winsome Child! Or e’er at night the Mother-Maid would wrap Her darling for repose, upon her lap He would pray God to shield from all mishap Their home at Nazareth ; and Archangels three, The Guardians of that earthly Trinity, Wafted those prayers across the crystal sea. He in Whose Hand the globe is but a toy, Is now, one lustre old, a gentle Boy, His Virgin-Mother’s all-absorbing joy. Holy and simple, innocent and true, Each year in wisdom, age and grace He grew With God and man; and quick the lustres flew. Canto ir. Life at Nazareth. 149 One lustre of expanding - childhood sped, Another lustre still more graces shed ; Each year a brighter halo crowned His Head. The gentle Boy His parents’ care repaid, And He Whose breath the universe had made, Choosing one grace above the rest, obeyed! A ready ear to each command He lent, He did or left undone, or came or went, To Mary’s slightest word obedient. A look—a glance—a thought yet unexpressed,— A wish that harboured in His Mother’s breast,— The loving Son fulfilled with eager zest. Yet He Who Nazareth’s lowly workshop trod, Or in the garden turned the dewy sod, Was still the uncreated Son of God ! No need for Him to con the rules of art, To work by measured plan or pencilled chart; Not His the pupil’s but the Master’s part! Life at Nazareth. Book II. 150 Nathless,—as though in earth’s primordial state, It had not been His skill to calculate Its elements in number, measure, weight : As though He had not forces at His beck, Repulsion, traction, check and countercheck Matter to rule in each minutest speck ;— As though He had not launched heaven’s astral gear With balanced power in its swift career Through the vast ocean of the atmosphere, Or had not been the pristine Architect Skilful each congruous atom to select Which, crystallized in stars, the expanse bedecked :— Th’ Eternal Son of God, of Mary born, Rising alert from sleep at earliest morn, Toiled in such sort as haughty man would scorn ! He Who the myriads of His people fed With manna from the heavenly garner shed, Now earns with daily toil His daily bread; Canto n. Life at Nazareth. And He Whose Wisdom is the exhaustless store Whereon the highest Angels love to pore,— Whence Cherubim derive their heavenly lore— With cheerful promptness and attentive air Performs each menial act with nicest care, As Joseph bids, to do or to forbear. For Joseph’s bidding would no 'hest devise That could God’s Will or conscience compromise And so, with blind obedience He complies. Thus blind obedience, which the unwise malign, Its prime exemplar finds in things divine,-^ Itself, humility’s unerring sign. He knew more deftly how the wood to shape, Without or rule or level, line or tape ; The grain to follow, or the knot escape; Yet while He sojourned among mortals here He would as He were nothing worth appear, And seem by others’ wit His course to steer. J 52 Life at Nazareth. Book II. O wonderful humility! How steep The Infinite incline! The depth how deep! What can poor mortals do but love and weep ? Soul of Christ Jesus, sanctify my soul : Body of Christ, Thy virtue make me whole: And Blood of Christ, my passions’ thirst control. Cleanse, Water from Christ’s Side, my heart from stain : Passion of Christ, support me in my pain : Let me not call on Thee, dear Lord, in vain. Within Thy Sacred Wounds Thy servant hide: Let nothing ever part me from Thy Side : Defend me from the foe’s malignant pride. Call me what time my passing bell shall toll, And bid me, with Thy Saints, reach Thee my goal, To praise Thee while for aye the ages roll. Canto 12. The Finding in the Temple. 153 BOOK II. CANTO 12. THE FINDING IN THE TEMPLE. A little cloud, no bigger than the hand, In time may o’er the firmament expand, And drench with driving rain the flooded land. When Simeon in the Temple of the Lord To Mary’s arms her ransomed Child restored, He warned the Mother of the two-edged sword Should pierce her to the soifi; from that sad hour Albeit upheld by faith’s sustaining power, To her fond heart the heavens seemed to lower And ever and anon there darkling spread The menace of a thunder-cloud o’erhead, And Mary’s heart transfixed with anguish bled : Such was the Circumcision ; such again The flight when Rachel’s Innocents were slain ; Such, the report of Archelaiis’ reign. i 54 The Finding in the Temple. Book II. The Infant sorrows of Christ’s tender years Drew from His gentle Mother silent tears: No grief like hers the grief of Jesus nears. Nor titled king nor Ethnarch longer reigns With show of independence o’er the plains Of Saron ;—Juda;—Sichem’s mountain-chains. Eleven years gone, King Herod breathed his last; Erewhile two years saw Archelaiis cast, After an Ethnarchate in tumult passed, An exile to Vienne; Rome now no more Judea’s turbulence with patience bore, But all her cherished rights rode roughshod o'er. Rome to her yoke the stiff-necked people bent, And as their Governour, contemptuous, sent An agent of the Syrian President. Last year, Coponius, Gentile bred and born, Assumed the office; and ’mid yells of scorn Saw Rome’s insignia battered down and torn. Canto 12. The Finding in the Temple. 155 The rabble challenged Rome in all her might;— While Zealots followed, for the unequal fight, Judas of Gamala, the Gaulonite. Aptly his watchword struck the tight-strained cord, “No tax! no tribute to the race abhorred! Beside Jehovah, master none nor Lord!” Vain are his burning words! his daring vain! He perishes himself; and all his train Bends down to serve resistless Rome again. Jesus had reached, beneath^His parents’ roof, The age when Solomon of old gave proof Of wisdom in the death-doomed babe’s behoof; Now, ’twas His will, yet shrouded ’neath the screen Of human form in simple boyhood’s mien, To have some glimpses of His glory seen. Twelve years in Israel the parental sway Stood for God’s Will; nor obligation lay On earlier youth the ritual to obey The Finding in the Temple. Book II. 156 Of Moses’ Law ; and so for that glad space ’Twas Mary’s, morn and eve, the course to trace Of Jesus’ Life, and gaze on Jesus’ Face. Oft-times she called to mind with sad presage How as He grew in wisdom, strength and age, Things of more world-wide moment might engage His care and thoughts,—and then, perchance, to part With her dear Child! Ah! like a two-edged dart The sad foreboding pierced her to the heart. He must to Salem : though on her there lay No law to face the long and toilsome way How could she home-fast without Jesus stay ? So Mary too, with Joseph’s glad assent, The eyes of Jesus beaming His content, To Salem for the feast of Azyms went. They seek with pious joy the pilgrim throng That swells in numbers as it moves along, Praising the Lord of Hosts with psalm and song. Canto 12. The Finding in the Temple. 157 Who could imagine that the fair-haired lad, Prompt to accomplish all that Moses bade, Was God’s Eternal Word in Manhood clad ? God traverses in Flesh the Temple Courts, Whither in crowds the Jewish youth resorts, While hoary age each listening band exhorts. Men of great note are there: Hillel the Wise, A second Moses, with the ancient vies, And knottiest problems of the Law unties. First founder of the Masoretic School, ’Twas He reformed the Pasch-defining rule, And filled nigh forty years the sacred stool Of Israel’s Senate; next, not void of pride, Elect in Hillel’s absence to preside O’er Israel’s Elders and their counsels guide, Sat Sammai; great in fame and numbering more Than Hillel’s self of scholars: stern his lore, But soft his life, and rich the robes he wore. 158 The Finding in the Temple. Book II. ’Tvvas Sammai’s wont with rigour to expound The letter of the Law, while Hillel found Ever the means to loose what Sammai bound. Nor seldom insults and unseemly blows,— So high at times the emulation rose,— Witnessed the keenness of the rival foes. There too was seen in ripening bloom of youth The loved Ben-Uzziel, full of tenderest ruth, By Hillel taught the lore of sacred truth ; His name, of love Divine the perfume brings,— The birds, they say, w’ere scorched by th’ Angels’ wings That hovered round to mark his communings. He paraphrased the Annals that contained The Acts of those who o’er God’s people reigned And in clear terms the Hagiograph explained : Yet lacked he frankness, for he dared not break The seal of Daniel, who of Jesus spake Too clearly e’en for malice to mistake. Canto 12 . The Finding in the Temple. ^59 There too was Onkelos ; ’twas he forsook The Secret Discipline, and undertook To vulgarise e’en Moses’ Sacred Book. Gamaliel too, the beauty of the Law, Was there in high repute, and round him saw The crowds whom only words like his could draw. And there the winsome child of Mary stood, Jesus, amid the grey-haired elderhood, Like a young sapling in the moss-grown wood. Little by little had the Holy Child, Some hours each day with various kinsfolk whiled, His Mother to His absence reconciled: So when the Pasch was over, and again The Galileans, in promiscuous train, Retraced their way towards Esdraelon’s plain, Jesus, His Father’s bidding to fulfil, In secret and unasked His parents’ will, When all the rest set forth, remained there still. The Finding in the Temple. Book II. 160 Where is a table now for Jesus spread ? Who in the City will provide His bed ? Behold ! He hath not where to lay His Head ! Perchance some pious Anna saw Him roam Amid the columns of the Sacred Dome, And, touched with pity, led Him to her home. Haply, unnoticed on the Temple steep, Like Jacob erst at Luza laid to sleep, He watched in spirit His dear Mother weep ; And when the morning’s dew-bespangled tread, Its cheerful light o’er town and country spread, Woke men to dusty toil for daily bread, After His waking thought,—a thought of prayer,— The Son would to His Father’s House repair, Concerned about His Father’s glory there. He took His place among the Jewish youth— The gentle, cultured, rude, untrained, uncouth— Who for instruction in religious truth Canto 12. The Finding in the Temple. 161 Assembled in the Temple : all around The catechumens sat upon the ground, And ’mid the least esteemed was Jesus found ! The Rabbi spoke of God : I Am Who Am ; Of Israel’s bondage in the land of Cham ;■ Of Moses, Aaron, and the Paschal Lamb. He spoke of Sion for a time oppressed, But destined through Messias to be blessed O When all the nations ’neath her wings should rest. He questioned them of Silo; and the boys, With fervid zeal and childlike, clattering noise, Exulting in their nation’s fancied joys, Made answer that Messias should be great, Endowed with world-wide rule and royal state:— A King on Whom all other kings should wait; That all the Gentiles should confess His sway; The very Romans His command obey; And His glad reign be everlasting day. L 162 The Finding in the Temple. Book 11. The lads were forward to display, each one, His buoyant, sanguine hope; when all was done, Had not been heard the voice of Mary’s Son. For in the lowest place He sat so still None thought or cared for Him, nor had the will To ask Him for an answer, good or ill. At last the Rabbi, in a kindly strain, Asked the young silent stranger to explain How, set on David’s throne, the Christ should reign. “He shall be great,” He said, “and Lord supreme; And endless ages while they onward stream Shall own the mercies from His brow that beam.” The Rabbi marked with observation keen The unobtrusive yet engaging mien Of Mary’s Son, the strange young Nazarene. He praised the answer; then, the theme begun, Tears glistening in the eyes of Mary’s Son, Thus He continued it, the Holy One : Canto 12. The Finding in the Temple. 163 “Silo shall save the poor, Himself a King; Beneath His sway shall peace and justice spring - ; The Isles and Tharsis shall their tribute bring. “But,” asked the Holy Child, “what means the Seer When he describes His aspect sad and drear: A Man of grief, with none at hand to cheer ? ” “He means Ben-Joseph, Child;” the Rabbi said; “Ben-Joseph hath not where to lay his head; Ben-David in the dust His foes shall tread.” “ And yet Isaias,” modestly replied The Son of Mary, “speaks of Him Who died, As through His very sufferings glorified.” So spake the Child, the Heir of Juda’s tribe; And, hushed at last each stripling’s boyish gibe, He riveted each Rabbi, Priest and Scribe. Haply He mindeth them how Daniel speaks : Counts up the tale exact of seventy weeks, And so concludes : “ The world its Saviour seeks; The Finding in the Temple. Book II. I64 “ All nations are expectant: not a clime But feels the dawning of the gracious time When justice shall prevail o’er sin and crime— And peradventure He went on to show How Magi from the East, twelve years ago, Had followed a strange star’s mysterious glow ; How all Jerusalem was moved : the King, Herod, was troubled sore to hear them bring Tidings that sounded like a menacing: And how the priests of the Most High unrolled The sacred parchments which the course unfold Of Silo’s life and acts;—wherein ’twas told From Bethl’em-Ephrata should spring the Stem, The promised Seed of David, Abraham, Sem, Predestined Heir of Juda’s diadem. Where Mary’s Child that nightfall sought repose Is not recorded ; haply one of those Who wondering heard Him, pitiful bestows Canto 12. The Finding in the Temple. 165 Lodging and needful food, and wins the grace Twice ten years after, to behold His face, And hail Him King, of faithful Abraham’s race. May be that Nicodemus was His host, And, for his charity, the Holy Ghost Whispered that he of harbouring Christ might boast. Arimathea’s Joseph would be there, But little dreamed, some time ’twill be his care That Child, Adult, to his own tomb to bear. Annas, the proud High-Priest stalks scowling by, While the boy Caiphas, with envious eye, Lowers on the Victim he will doom to die. Next day, when restful night its course had run, Hies to H is Father’s house sweet Mary’s Son, And asks God’s blessing on the day begun: And they who yestreen heard Him undertake To prove that Christ should suffer for man’s sake; Who heard Him speak as never Child yet spake,— The Finding in the Temple. Book II. 166 Again the wondrous Child, as yestreen, found Seated in child-like fashion on the ground With Doctors, Scribes and Priests encompassed round. Now with a note of warning in His tone, He hints how hearts are by the touchstone shown How pride may fail God’s Providence to own ; How Abraham’s sons may fail to be his seed; How in God’s oracles it stands decreed That e’en the Gentiles shall thro’ Christ be freed ; How God, tho’ present and by Saints adored, May be by learning, wealth and rank ignored, And Israel even may reject their Lord! Oh ! how her heart beat high as, entering then The sacred house, there came to Mary’s ken His P'orm,—the Loved One of the sons of men! Yet did she, for a space, tho’ loth, restrain Her ardent love, nor break the listening chain Circling her Lost One, three days sought in vain. Canto 12. The Finding in the Temple. 167 At last she folds her darling to her breast, And, sweet remonstrance in her eyes expressed, Tells Him how sorrowful had been their quest. She speaks, with deep emotion tremulous: “Why hast Thou, O my Son, dealt so with us? Three days we’ve sought Thee! O why leave us thus? ” And He replies, returning her caress : “ How did ye seek Me ? I, as you confess, Must take to heart My Father’s business.” The Mother, in the ways of God adept, Deep in her heart each word of Jesus kept, And, prescient of the future, silent wept. E’en so, though God hath sanctioned earthly ties, The tie of man to God doth higher rise, And claims of dearest bonds the sacrifice. The tenderest Heart that ever beat hath taught That there are times when love of God is bought By counting parents, brethren, spouse, as nought. The Finding in the Temple. Book II. 168 We cannot err, obeying Jesus’ voice ; What pleasured Christ, Christ’s servant will rejoice; What Jesus chose must be the happiest choice! Soul of Christ Jesus, sanctify my soul: Body of Christ, Thy virtue make me whole: And Blood of Christ, my passions’ thirst control. Cleanse, Water from Christ’s Side, my heart from stain : Passion of Christ, support me in my pain : Let me not call on Thee, dear Lord, in vain. Within Thy Sacred Wounds Thy servant hide: Let nothing ever part me from Thy Side : Defend me from the foe’s malignant pride. Call me what time my passing bell shall toll, And bid me, with Thy Saints, reach Thee my goal, To praise Thee while for aye the ages roll. i Canto 13. The Two Standards. 169 BOOK II. CANTO 13. THE TWO STANDARDS. Christ marshals His elect to save the world,— Around His Standard see His banner curled;— How shall we read its blazon when unfurled ? The prince of darkness and his rebel crew Have their device and their escutcheon too; — What marks the traitor host and what the true ? We learn from Christ, Whose Wisdom is our guide, The badge that symbolizes either side, — Humility, the one; the other, Pride. Christ is our Leader; we have seen Him born Humble and poor on the first Christmas morn And reared a Nazarene, the proud man’s scorn ; — ’Tis Christ has called us,—we have heard His Voice And His example we have made our choice,— With Him to suffer and with Him rejoice : The Two Standards. Book II. I 70 We must like Him be humble,—even so ! ’Tis then our wisdom above all to know How Christ’s humility in us may grow. Beware deceit! There’s nought upright or fair In him who rules the powers of the air And schemes astute the souls of men to snare; Satan would lure thee from the narrow road, The path God’s faithful servants aye have strode To reach their heavenly home, the King’s abode. Nigh Babylon,—’mid fire and smoke his chair,— Hideous in form and frenzied by despair He calls his myrmidons around him there. Hoarse he harangues them on the burning plain And eggs them on to labour might and main To stamp on each man’s soul the brand of Cain :— “Ye down-crushed demons, hating God and man! Each hating each with all the hate he can ! Accursed and cursing, ’neath the strong one’s ban ! Canto 13. The Two Standards. 171 “ Hate binds and seals our compact,—hate of God ! He has demeaned Himself and basely trod The path that groveling things, called human, plod ; “ He would have men from pomp and riches fly And you must out-manceuvre Him, and I Will tell you how your engines best to ply. “ Pride was your bane : make then yon wretches proud : Mingle unseen among the human crowd And whisper in mens ears,—not loud,—not loud ;— “ Whisper such trifles as the senses charm, That startle not the conscience nor alarm,— So that men say of them, ‘ Oh ! there’s no harm !' “Whisper,—so low,—insinuate by stealth,— What harm can possibly be found in wealth ? Nay, sure, ’tis good,—like beauty, learning, health. “ With riches men may aid the poor man’s store, (Not that they’ll do it, mind, a whit the more), Build Hospitals and Churches by the score ! The Two Standards. Book II. I 72 “ Men thus cajoled to court the glittering prize By trade or speculation or demise Will make of their own souls a merchandise : “ Men will through love of money pawn their honour, Defraud an heiress, then heap scorn upon her, And as a robe at will or doff or don her. “ And when the new man’s purse with gold is lined What fawning adulation shall he find His home-spun wit and common-sense to blind ! “ The awe-struck poor shall stand agape with fear; Nobles shall treat him like a fellow-peer; E’en kings will stoop to flatter while they sneer. “ So money leads to honour; honour then Lifts the fool’s head above his fellow-men And man from Christ reclaimed is ours again ! “ As for religious—so-called—men, take care ! They of ‘no harm in doing’ will beware,— ‘No harm in leaving out’ will be their snare: Canto 13. The Two Standards. 1 73 “ ‘ What harm to leave out things where there’s no sin ? Or to dispense with rule and discipline ? And why with squeamish fear let scruples in ? “ * What harm to shun humiliations ? ’ So, They shall the bulwark of their state forego, And ye shall drag them to your Hell below ! “ Go and avenge yourselves ! ye, demons, go ! Away, Christ’s Kingdom sap and overthrow And fool His vassals back to sin and woe ! “ Go ! and delude each human thing in turn ! Go ! and with all the fires of vengeance burn ! Go ! and with sheaves of human souls return ! ” While Satan ’mid the smoke of Babylon Goads on his minions, all and one by one, How fares it with the King’s Incarnate Son ? Lo ! within sight of Salem’s hallowed towers, In the smooth grassy mead besprent with flowers, Flushed into green by vernal sun-lit showers, 1 74 The Two Standards. Book II. Of winning aspect and attractive mien, His accent gentle and His Brow serene, Jesus, the Leader of God’s Hosts, is seen. Assembled on the undulating sward His faithful vassals listen to their Lord,— All perfect peace without one jarring chord : And these the counsels He commends to each :— “ Simple and unaffected be your speech,— As I teach you so you shall others teach. \ " Bid men of soft luxurious ease beware,— Of poison lurking ’neath the petals fair Of treacherous flowers, and with studious care “ Denounce the love of money,—bid men think Of Dives’ fate and from the glamour shrink As from some beetling cliff’s sight-dazzling brink.” Woe to the rich ! ’Twould seem that all mankind Are leagued together rich men’s souls to blind And hide from them the wrath that looms behind. Canto 13. The Two Standards . 1 75 Blest are the poor and blest the poor man’s ways ! Seeking nor worldly glare nor human praise He spends unknown to men his peaceful days : To him his God is all in all; God’s care Shields him from overt force and secret snare,— And all the ills that Satan’s arts prepare. No sad misgivings harass him for fear He forfeit riches that he holds too dear, Or miss the promise of a proud career. Ye happy poor! who nought and all possess ! Made like your Master, cheered by His caress, Ye taste on earth how God His Saints can bless. Peace and contentment in your bosoms reign, True happiness on earth comes in their train, And in the world to come eternal gain ! Have then the rich no hope ? Must they despair ? Are all rich men predestinate to wear The badge of Dives and his torments share ? 176 The Two Standards. Book II. Nay ! though the poor in deed are chiefly blest, Oh ! let not men of wealth renounce the quest, For rich men too may find in God their rest. Though, as befits their rank, superbly dressed Saint Cecily may wear a sack-cloth vest,— A hair-shirt chafe the great Saint Thomas’ breast. But if, mistrusting self, thy courage faints Before the hero-forms that history paints Of canonized and consummated Saints, A humbler class there is that loveth still Ever to choose the good and shun the ill, Not poor in act, but poor in heart and will. Such do not count their substance as their own, But with an upright heart before the throne Will calmly meditate what cost alone Their state requires,—what judgment He would pass Whose providence assigned their rank and class,— What then remains for alms and Holy Mass. Canto 13. The Two Standards. 1 77 They who begat the herald of our Lord (So doth tradition’s lore the fact record) Received a triple crown as their reward: One third their means procured their daily bread, Another third the poor around them fed, One third adorned God’s House, relieved the deaci. Blest they whose hearts from greed of wealth are pure! Whom all in vain wealth’s blandishments allure; They shall indeed the hundred-fold secure ! “ Go then, my children ! Lucifer has told How souls of Christian men are bought and sold ;—- How they are bartered at the price of gold ! “ Go in My Name and bear the antidote ! Let not the tempter o’er his victims gloat As tho’ I heedless were and took no note. “ Unmask the stratagems of Satan’s hate, Warn Christian men to dread the golden bait, Draw them to love and choose the poor man’s state. M i 7 3 The Two Standards Book II. “ Blest are the poor in spirit, for behold At their approach God’s Angels shall unfold The gates of pearl and streets of burnished gold. “ Those sons of men are most supremely blest Who can themselves of their own rights divest, Like Me their Lord of all things dispossest. “ Such is the high Exemplar; ever then Bid Christians live themselves that life a^ain Whereof My life was perfect specimen. “Teach them, well-armed against smooth flattery’s blight, Honour to seek from God thro’ human slight And from contempt reap profit infinite. “ Teach them, as paramount, this truth to know, Humility wherefrom all graces ilow Without humiliations ne’er can grow. “ Therefore are slights, contempt and human scorn, When with calm patience by My servants borne, Like showers and rain to fill the swelling corn. Canto 13 The Two Standards. 179 “ Have I their Lord or life or honour spared ? Have I aught better than My vassals fared ? Bright crowns are theirs as they My Cross have shared.” Eternal Lord, Who art the Lord alone, Helped by Thy grace, Thy Majesty I own, And lay my holocaust before Thy Throne. Before Thy Goodness, boundless as Thy Might, Before Thy gracious Mother, in the sight Of all Thy Sons and Daughters, robed in white,— I solemnly declare my wish,—my will,— My firm resolve,—if by such purpose still I may more perfectly the end fulfil Of my creation, I will follow Thee And bear all wrongs that may be laid on me;— Affronts, upbraidings, slights shall welcome be. I will be poor as Thou wast poof below, At least in spirit; yea, and really so, Wouldst Thou on me so great a boon bestow* i8o The Two Standards. Book II. Such is my wish; such, Lord, my rooted will,— Such my determinate resolve, if still ( I may the better, thus, my end fulfil. Soul of Christ Jesus, sanctify my soul: Body of Christ, Thy virtue make me whole : . And Blood of Christ, my passions’ thirst control. Cleanse, Water from Christ’s Side, my heart from stain : Passion of Christ, support me in my pain : Let me not call on Thee, dear Lord, in vain. Within Thy Sacred Wounds Thy servant hide : Let nothing ever part me from Thy Side: Defend me from the foe’s malignant pride. Call me what time my passing bell shall toll, And bid me, with Thy Saints, reach Thee my goal, To praise Thee while for aye the ages roll. Canto 14. Three Ways of Wishing. 181 BOOK II. CANTO 14. THREE WAYS OF WISHING. Men by God’s grace from Satan’s bondage freed The invitation of their Lord must heed And in Christ’s footsteps tread if they would speed. What following Christ may mean they needs must learn ;— Must right from its base counterfeit discern ;— Love truth ingenuous and from falsehood turn. They must with love, what Jesus loved embrace, And in themselves their Master’s likeness trace His features reproducing, grace for grace;— Must mark how He Who cast the precious ore Seeks not the threshold of the rich man’s door, But while He loveth all, loves poor men more. H ow He for thrice ten years in lowliest guise, At a poor handicraftsman’s bidding hies, The plane and chisel, adze and hammer plies. I 8 2 Three Ways of Wishing. Book II. ’Tis well with clear intelligence to see That he who says, “I, Lord, will follow Thee!” Says in effect, “I, Lord, will humble be!” Then of supremest import ’tis to know:— Humility, wherefrom all graces flow, Without humiliations ne’er can grow. To grant this true is good ; yet skills it more Firmly to plant the pride-subduing lore Deep in the heart, deep in its inmost core. Many there are indeed who own its worth, Confess its origin of heavenly birth And brand as dangerous the goods of earth : Many who glibly argue and dispute, And parley of the antidotes that suit To stanch gold’s thirst,—in barren words acute :— Yet while a wholesome dread of wealth they feign No single effort will they make to rein Their own base secret appetite for gain. Canto 14. Three Ways of Wishing. 183 They, not in earnest, sing an idle song,— They say and do not, like the silly throng The road to ruin hood-winked borne along. Others aware of what is riofht and best o But harbouring still their passion in their breast To their own liking wisdom’s counsels wrest. E’en so a wounded man whose perilled life Demands the succour of the surgeon’s knife, Joins with his skilful leech in wordy strife. The knife he will not yield to, but anon Self-ill-advised will put some unguent on Till the last flickering spark of life hath shone. Neither are such in earnest, for they choose, Treating a cancer as a surface bruise, To trifle with the life they dread to lose. If in the goal proposed we will succeed, We must in earnest Jesus’ counsels heed, And, with strong hand, tame wealth’s unhallowed greed. 184 Three Ways of Wishing. ' Book IT. ’Tis not bare wishing, but determined will, Resolved our Master’s bidding to fulfil,— Alone can extirpate the cankerous ill. So the wise patient whose malignant sore Calls for an expert to cut out the core, To the well-practised surgeon yields him o’er. He will not parley with approved advice; If to save life a limb must be the price, For life’s dear sake the limb he’ll sacrifice. Let us but know what God would have us do, A humble, firm resolve will bear us through, To Jesus’ counsel and example true. As, then, humiliations are the rod To perfect those by whom the path is trod That leads thro’ earthly trials up to God, Who that is prudent will not welcome scorn ? And joy to see in shreds his honour torn If Christ may only thus in him be born ? Canto 14. Three Ways of Wishing. 185 Eternal Lord, Who art the Lord alone, Helped by Thy grace, Thy Majesty I own, And lay my holocaust before Thy Throne : Before Thy Goodness, boundless as Thy Might, Before Thy gracious Mother, in the sight Of all Thy Sons and Daughters robed in white,—- I solemnly declare my wish,—my will,— My firm resolve,—if by such purpose still I may more perfectly the end fulfil Of my creation,—I will follow Thee, And bear all wrongs that may be laid on me;— Affronts, upbraidings, slights shall welcome be. I will be poor, as Thou wast poor below, At least in spirit; yea, and really so, Wouldst Thou on me so great a boon bestow. Such is my wish ; such, Lord, my rooted will,— Such my determinate resolve, if still I may the better, thus, my end fulfil. 186 Three Ways of Wishing. Book II. And if proud nature shrink from pain and shame, As flesh will quiver at the scorching flame, Thyself, O Lord, the pride of nature tame. Yea, and though nature smart beneath the bruise, Let not my frowardness Thy blessing lose;— Give me the will to will what Thou dost choose. Soul of Christ Jesus, sanctify my soul:. Body of Christ, Thy virtue make me whole: And Blood of Christ, my passions’ thirst control. Cleanse, Water from Christ’s Side, my heart from stain : Passion of Christ, support me in my pain : Let me not call on Thee, dear Lord, in vain. Within Thy Sacred Wounds Thy servant hide : Let nothing ever part me from Thy Side: Defend me from the foe’s malignant pride. Call me what time my passing bell shall toll, And bid me, with Thy Saints, reach Thee my goal, To praise Thee while for aye the ages roll. Canto 15. Three Kinds of Humility. 187 BOOK II. CANTO XV. THREE KINDS OF HUMILITY. My Master bids me follow Him, and I, Tracing His Life from Birth to Death, descry The Grace He loveth most,—Humility. And when I wonder by what grace mankind May be remoulded to their Author’s mind, Humility the alkahest I find. The ladder’s rounds that bear us to the sky,— The steps that lead us to our Lord more nigh,— Are acts of Meekness and Humility. While stage by stage as wayfarers we plod; — And step by step the heavenly road is trod,— Humility conforms our wills to God. What prudence can more prudent be than still To rule our wayward fancies by His Will,— Shun what He hates and what He loves fulfil ? 188 Three Kinds of Humility. Book II. Angels of old to dire rebellion stung, Fostered by pride from envy’s passion sprung, Were down to Hell from God’s blest Vision flung : And pride in man the like effect had wrought Had not God’s ruth a plea for weaklings sought, Whom mightier natures to rebel had taught. Therefore as ills by contraries are cured, Christ, to obedience for our sake inured, Humiliations to the death endured. We then, for His dear sake repressing pride, Will in His loved Humility abide; Nothing shall ever part us from His Side. Say then, what is Humility; ’twere meet To know its features lest some counterfeit Should our untutored wits beguile or cheat. Humility essays man’s will to school, Making the perfect Will of God his rule, Though knaves may deem him mad or call him fool; Canto 15. Three Kinds of Humility. 189 And Saints, who things Divine more clearly see, Have of Humility marked species three : Threefold in kind, and threefold in degree. The first, just strong enough self-will to quell Where there is question of the pains of hell, Ranks as condition indispensable. This so submits the will to the All-good As to refuse consent to aught that would Grieve God by deadly sin’s foolhardihood. The second kind, more perfect than the first, Shuns deadly sin as of all ills the worst; Yet hath it not so clean its fetters burst As to retain no craving for the things Which, though they kill not, are thick-set with stings— Palsying the soul with earthward hankerings. Still, when it marks whereto those hankerings tend:— That sin, albeit not deadly, is their end: Not even by such fault will it offend. 190 Three Kinds of Humility. Book II. Would’st comprehend the virtue of the third ? Think, by what means are men from good deterred ? And how God’s creatures are to God preferred ? The joys and pains of earth direct life’s rein,— For men will sin, sin’s pleasure-cup to drain,— And men will sin, to escape the smart of pain. Whoso his stand on the first step will take Will not, for honour, greed, or dalliance’ sake, Presume God’s Law by deadly sin to break; Nor will he, menaced e’en with present death, Commit by thought, desire, or act or breath, What God as deadly sin prohibiteth. Who will the second, nobler kind possess Will not for honour, gain, or soft caress, Even by lesser sin God’s law transgress; Nor will he, menaced e’en with present death, Commit by thought, desire, or act or breath, What God as cooling love prohibiteth. Canto 15. Three Kinds of Humility. 191 But they who to the third degree ascend, Find nought in pain to scare them from their end, Nought in earth’s joys to lure them to offend. Christ for His friends robs sadness of its sting,— Bids rays of hope ’mid darkest clouds to spring,— And pain itself sweet consolation bring. O wondrous privilege of men made free By Christ’s dear love,—set in this third degree Of Christ’s most cherished grace, Humility! For Christ chose pain and poverty and shame, Rejecting pleasure, worldly goods and fame, And who love Christ indeed will choose the same. Men seek, when tempest-tossed, the sheltered cove;— Wealth’s worshippers afar for diamonds rove;— Christ’s friends count scorn and sorrow treasure-trove : Through them they grow like Christ; He was despised, Therefore by them is ignominy prized,— Christ’s liegemen by Christ’s livery signalized ! 192 Three Kinds of Humility. B®ok II. Only let those who to this height attain, Quit not the practice of the other twain, Lest the whole fabric crumble to the plain. Soul of Christ Jesus, sanctify my soul: Body of Christ, Thy virtue make me whole: And Blood of Christ, my passions’ thirst control. Cleanse, Water from Christ’s Side, my heart from stain : Passion of Christ, support me in my pain: Let me not call on Thee, dear Lord, in vain. Within Thy Sacred Wounds Thy servant hide : Let nothing ever part me from Thy Side: Defend me from the foe’s malignant pride. Call me what time my passing bell shall toll, And bid me, with Thy Saints, reach Thee my goal, To praise Thee while for aye the ages roll. Canto 16. The Baptism. 193 BOOK II. CANTO 16. % THE BAPTISM. The Triune Godhead from the Empyrean Throne Watched o’er the Word-made-Flesh to manhood grown —■ To His own kindred in the Flesh unknown. For thrice ten years the seasons came and went, And Jesus all that time in labour spent, — Patient, unnoticed and obedient. But there are signs of change ; six months ago The banks that curb impetuous Jordan’s flow, Re-echoed with a voice denouncing woe On callous sinners ; to the awe-struck crowd The herald of Messias cried aloud, — “Ye viperous brood, beware the darkling cloud “ Now big with wrath ! The Lord ol Hosts in ire Is near at hand to burn the chaff with fire ! — Do penance !—Boast not Abraham your sire; N 194 The Baptism. Book II. “He Who gave breath to dry and lifeless bones Can have no need of you ; behold these stones;— In them not you, He Abraham’s offspring owns. “ Behold the axe laid ready at the root! What doth alone luxuriant foliage boot ? The fire shall burn the tr6e that bears not fruit! ” Men wondering said : “ The tale of seventy weeks, Whereof in Holy Writ the Prophet speaks, Well-nigh expended its completion seeks.” They asked, “Art thou the Christ?” He straight replied, “ Not so : before His Face my face I hide, Too great by me to have His shoe untied! “ I am the Voice announced in ancient days : ‘ See in the desert ye make straight His ways,— The mountains level and the valleys raise ! ’ $ “Prepare ye for His coming! He His fan Bears in His Hand to separate the bran, And each man’s deeds for weal or woe to scan.” Canto 16. The Baptism . 195 The widening circles of the Baptist’s fame, As time moved on, to far-off Nazareth came, And men in Galilee his acts proclaim. From those around to Mary’s ears it passed, And she (the future fearfully forecast) Of Jesus tremblingly inquired at last Whether sad tidings were in store to hear,— Whether the moment she had learned to fear From aged Simeon’s warning voice, drew near ? Jesus, Who knew the anguish of suspense,— Lest the dread truth might break the o’er-wrought sense, Annealed His Mother’s soul with grace intense : “ My Mother! e’en as eighteen years ago It was My Father’s Will that thou should’st know Grief for a time, again it will be so ! ” Woe beyond Angels’ power of thought oppressed The sorrow-stricken Virgin-Mother’s breast;—• But all she did was on her Son to rest k;6 The Baptism. Book II. Her head and meekly breathe: “Thy Will be done!” Jesus caressed His Mother as a Son Is wont to do ; but spake not either one ! Henceforth that happy converse spent in peace, Those loving acts of kindliness must cease,— For Christ goes forth to work mankind’s release. As when a vast Cathedral’s plan is traced, Its lofty columns, to be firmly placed, On deep-set, strong foundations must be based ; E’en so the mighty work to ransom man In condescension infinite began ;— Not Michael’s self the abysmal depth could scan ! It were enough to daze the Angels’ ken For God the Son to put on flesh, and then Consort, earth’s humble denizen with men. But for our God, Who knows no ill but sin, To near the whirlpool and be plunged therein, Must strain the faith e’en of the Cherubin. Canto 16. The Baptism. 19 7 A leprous outcast by the world esteemed,— To others, sinners, He a sinner seemed ;— God-Man made sin, man’s fallen race redeemed. The call to penance rang distinct and loud Where, by the Jordan’s waters, earthwards bowed Wept and confessed their sins a diverse crowd. Jesus, of David’s stem the promised Bud Who, circumcised, began His Life in Blood, Stood with the sinners by the rushing flood. Where now the warnings of the Baptist draw Throngs to do penance, erst those waters saw The two great Prophets of the Ancient Law Fulfil their earthly course ; from Nebo’s height Had God revealed the Land to Moses’ sight, Promised to Israel’s Seed in Abraham’s right. And here Elias (in whose power and name The Baptist’s self, Messias’ herald, came) Was borne to heaven in the whirling flame. 198 The Baptism . Book IT. Crowds from the North and South, the East and West, Roused from their lethargy, with heaving breast And sobs of loud lament their sins confessed ;— Some few there were whose very depth of woe, While Jordan’s lustral waters o’er them flow, Restrained of their hearts’ grief the outward show. o Among the rest was in that concourse seen One marked, as seemed it, by His lowly mien Unworthiest of all, the Nazarene. Greatness and lowliness in Him combine, He waited to the last and grave no sigm o o Of that He was—Almighty and Divine ! In vain did John the Baptist humbly plead His all-unworthiness ;—that he indeed Not to baptize but be baptized had need : “ Nay, let it be so now,” the Lord replied ; Unmarred by us let ancient truth abide,— Let Prophecy and Type be verified.” Canto 16. The Baptism. 199 And so he suffered Him,—but who hath known The All-wise Searcher of men’s hearts disown The seed that in humility is sown ? Behold the heavens were opened and a Dove On Jesus came descending from above — Meet emblem of the Eternal Father’s Love ; A Voice from Heaven proclaimed His Filial right : Proving the Self-abased, the Lord of Might,— “ Thou art My Son in Whom I take delight! ” As God-made-Man the path of Justice showed, See that thou choose, O man, the self-same road— Humility, that wings to God’s abode. 200 The Temptation. Book II. BOOK II. CANTO 17. TIIE TEMPTATION. By fasting - and by prayer th’ Eternal Son Inaugurates, while forty clays are run, The work Divine by Jordan’s stream begun.. Prophet! His theme is Justice’ strict award,— Priest! By His Death is man to God restored,— King! O’er His Church He reigns sole Sovereign Lord. Surely a plan so great must needs begin In One Who, from the first exempt from sin, Was pure till death as in His origin. Wouldst thou, O man, in Him thy birthright keep,— Wouldst thou ascend with Him the heavenly steep,— See that thou lay foundations broad and deep. See that, the rankness of the flesh subdued, Against self-love with ceaseless fortitude, Thou constant to the end maintain the feud. Canto 17. The Temptation. 201 Nor is this all ;—the spirit helpless lies, Tho’ loosed by penance from terrestrial ties, Unless on wings of prayer it heavenward flies. Doth not our Prophet, Priest and King prepare His Human Soul by rigid fast and prayer Pain, slights, dishonour and contempt to bear ? Led by the Spirit He confronts a fast Surpassing man’s endurance, till at last A space of forty days and nights is passed. Far from the haunts of men, no pleasant sound Of voice is heard,—the wild beasts prowl around,— His seat, a rock,—His couch, the naked ground ! He forty weary nights and forty days His Life and Death with calm presage surveys And for their fruit in man’s redemption prays. As Moses on the Mount the pattern scanned Of Ark and Temple, now Messias planned The Masterpiece of His Almighty Hand : 202 The Temptation. Book IT. He traced His Church through her beleaguered state; How offering truth to all—to small and great— She like Himself not love should reap but hate. He marked how far brute force should hinder right,— How far corruption spread its withering blight,— How far unfaith gain vantage in the fight. The storm of persecution He forecast; Saw Peter’s bark tossed wildly by the blast, But in His Name triumphant at the last. He traced His Church through centuries of pain,— And then through centuries of glorious reign,— Then schism rampant and untruth again :— Then looking onwards o’er the bourn of sense, He saw her free from scandal and offence, Safe in the Arms of God’s Omnipotence. Revolving thus His Kingdom’s trial-state He sat, reduced to hunger’s utmost strait, All pale, enfeebled and emaciate. Canto 17. The Temptation. 203 Anon, across the waste so lone and weird Is heard a traveller’s footstep ; as he neared The spot where Jesus rested, he appeared Struck with amazement; then with deep incline Of cringing- body but accurst design, Prepared him to accost the Man Divine. The semblance of a way-farer he bore,— A pilgrim’s staff and gaberdine he wore, As of that number who not long before Had heard the Baptist’s warnings and received His purifying rite. As one who grieved To see a fellow-man of all bereaved, He asked Him how He fared,—concerned to say He carried nought His failing strength to stay;— No draught wherewith He might His thirst allay. Then looking nearer, with well-feigned surprise, \ V “Why! Thou art He Whom late I saw,” he cries,— “Whom I beheld Ben-Zachary baptize! 204 The Temptation. Book II. “Why! Thou art He o’er Whom the skies above Were opened, and the likeness of a dove Came hovering down to mark Thy Father’s love! “Why! Thou art He Whose supernatural might A Voice from Heaven attested, and Thy right To Sonship as Thy Father’s chief delight! “ And hast Thou heedless then so soon forgot The heavenly vision, that Thou usest not The power Thou hast of Him Who Thee begot ? “ Since Thou art Son of God, Thy power display, For with fair show of reason men will say Thou art self-murderer, if Thou delay ! “ Bid that these stones be changed ! sure, they will heed Thy Voice if Thou be Son of God indeed, And thus made bread will satisfy Thy need.” He spoke perfidious, and his parley done, The false and smooth-tongued fiend of Babylon A stone presented to the Holy One. Canto 17. The Temptation. 205 Jesus with meek forbearance put aside The tempter’s treacherous offer and replied : “ Not so, 'tis Mine My Father’s Will to bide ; “ It was My Father’s Spirit led Me here, — What hap soe’er befall Me, He is near, — How tempt Me with His Will to interfere ? “My meat and drink it is to do His Will,— When things seem hardest to be trustful still, And so His all-wise purposes fulfil. “Take thou the Sacred Book and thou shalt read: — ‘The Words that from the Mouth of God proceed (Not bread alone) life-giving are indeed.’ ” Thus in return the bold arch-hypocrite : “Thou dost right well to appeal to Holy Writ, The beacon-flame by God’s own Spirit lit ; “ And Thou rememberest how the Royal Seer, The son of Jesse, sings of Thy career, — How all mankind Thy doctrine shall revere ; 206 The Temptation. Book II. “ The time is ripe Thy Mission to proclaim, To publish to mankind Thy Father’s Name, And spread throughout the world Messias’ fame. “ Behold the Temple’s turret skywards shoot Like the tall pine straight upwards from its "root; Lo, in the court below, vast numbers moot “ The question of Messias’ coming reign ; How Israel’s sons shall win their own again— How captive Rome shall swell Messias’ train ; “ How God will free His people from the yoke Of foreign masters and at length revoke The curse His Prophets on their fathers spoke. “They crowded to the Jordan; there they heard From John’s own lips that they indeed had erred In deeming him Messias; but he stirred “ Their hearts within them as he spoke of One Set in their midst for Whom is now besfun A marvellous career,—to Whom is done Canto 17. The Temptation. 207 “ Worship by every faithful heart and true,— The Mighty One ; the latchet of Whose shoe He was not worthy prostrate to undo. “ See ! Thou shalt soar aloft with eagle flight, And swift, adventuring the dizzy height, On the great Temple’s pinnacle alight.” The very Angels in amazement gasp To see the Evil One Christs Body clasp And to the Temple bear It in his grasp. “ Down,” said he, “ through mid-air majestic float, And since Thou dost so aptly Scripture quote, Recall to mind the words King David wrote;— “ ‘ What, though unnumbered ills around alarm ?— God hath beneath thee stretched His Angels’ arm,— Lest dashed against a stone Thy foot take harm:’ “ Down then In state sublime pass through the air,—- Angels Thy Person in their arms shall bear And ward off ill by their obsequious care/' 208 The Temptation. Book II. He spoke perfidious; then, his parley done : “ Again it written stands,” replied the Son, ‘Thou shalt not tempt thy God, the Holy One.’” Baffled once more the disappointed fiend (Who for success hath aye on flattery leaned) Again behind fair words his malice screened. “ Rabbi, I frankly own I counselled wrong Bidding Thee, poised in air, amaze the throng With wonderment as Thou wouldst float along : “ In fine, how few had witnessed Thy descent, How few believed by dint of wonderment, Whilst Thou on sway o’er all the world art bent! “ Thy Father’s glory is Thy one great aim; For this the Dove on Thee descending came;— I know Thy zeal,—its all-consuming flame! “ Grand is Thy mission in the Angels’ eyes ! Worthy the Son of God Thine enterprise ! Higher than earthly, it transcends the skies ! Canto 17. The Temptation. 209 “ There is a mountain seems the sky to prop—- So high, no footsteps brush the dews that drop Condensed upon it; from its aery top “ The earth beneath, which human millions tread, Shall with its millions lie before Thee spread, From the chill Pole to where swarth Moors are bred.” Again the Angels with amazement gasp To see the Evil One Christ’s Body clasp And to the mountain bear It in his grasp. He set Him on the loftiest mountain peak : He seemed an easy prey, so faint, so weak,— His strength all gone, nigh powerless to speak;—- The tempter showed the vast imperial realms, Which in their puissance like vine-girded elms Sustained the minor states and ruled their helms. As he described their glory and their sway, He asked Him, was He mightier than they, That He should dare their conquest to essay ? o 2 ro The Temptation. Book II. Nor spared the master-hypocrite to tell How without fail the embattled hosts of hell The serried squadrons of His foes would swell : Besides, an He would teach, could He unlearned Fail by the well-taught Rabbi to be spurned,— Pre-judged or e’er a hearing He had earned ? Needs must He fail: not His or wealth or rank;— The drowning man without a friendly plank Struggled awhile, then gave up all, and sank. “ E’en now on slenderest thread Thy life depends; How canst Thou dream of compassing Thine ends, Void of resources, influence and friends. “ See the whole world below Thee,—it is mine;— Mine by good right for none my sway decline ;— All to my will body and soul resign. “ All that I bid them do, anon they do,—■ All I forbid their doing, they eschew,— All who obey me not, their folly rue ! Canto 17. The Temptation. 211 “ And I can give to all I will, a share ; Nay, I can give Thee all, for I can spare All that may serve to aid Thy purpose there. • “ Only be Thou my vassal—I, Thy Lord ; Thou to win boundless empire wield the sword ; I as Thy rightful suzerain adored!” The tempter ceased,—and briefly thus the Son :— “Written it stands: ‘To God be worship done,— To Him alone:’ Avaunt, unholy one!” Baffled on every point the tempter fled ; Good Angels came and ministered instead ?\nd with celestial food their Master fed. 212 Call of the Apostles. Book II. BOOK II. CANTO iS. THE CALL OF TIIE APOSTLES. The Christian soldier for his Master’s sake The sacrifice of his whole life will make, Confront the knife, the halter and the stake. 'Tis not enough,—some in still nobler wise Wishful their loyalty to signalize, Beneath Christ’s standard court a nobler prize. They not content with winning Heaven alone, Must needs have comrades,—comrades of their own To swell their Master’s praise, before God’s throne. God at the first for man’s dear sake did call Out of blank chaos this terrestrial ball And the vast boundless circumambient All. Through Him, Who being God, should put on Man The fiat from the Unbegotten ran, And so with man in view, God’s work began. Canto 18. Call of the Apostles. 21 Earth’s garniture,—the herbage yielding seed,— The kine beside the flowing 'streams that feed,— God made them all to satisfy man’s need. Nor only in creation’s works so fair Had God regard to man, but still more there Where God-made-Man God’s Honour would repair. God simply spoke the word,— God’s Finger span Creation’s fabric, but to rescue man God’s out-stretched Arm wrought all that Godhead can. And in the wondrous strife ’twixt wrong and right, ’Twixt good and evil, waged, the Infinite Stooped to make man His partner in the fight. First and the foremost on the Prince’s side, Mother of God, the Holy Spirit’s Bride, And next her Son in sorrow’s furnace tried, A second Eve more blessed than the first, Sweet Mary stood,—sweet Mary Maid who nursed The second Adam and Man’s doom reversed. 214 Call of the Apostles. Book II. Who else shall with the Mother aid the Son ? By whom at home be feats of prowess done ? By whom abroad shall fields for Christ be won ? And when the Prince’s earthly course is sped, By whom shall widowed Christendom be led ? Who be Christ’s Vicar, and His Church’s head ? The frauds of Lucifer reduced to nought,— The banquet ended by the Angels’ brought,— Jesus anew the banks of Jordan sought. Him, when the Baptist afar off descried. While his own greatness John was fain to hide, He in these words His Master glorified :— “ I am the Voice that crieth in the wold ! See Him of Whom I testified ;—behold 1 he Spotless Lamb of God, ordained of old ! “ I am the twilight; He, the noontide ray : On me, the office of a herald lay— His harbinger Who takes earth’s sin away. Canto 18. Call of the Apostles. 215 “True, He comes after me; but in God’s Word, As from the Prophet’s lips hath aye been heard, He was before me,—is to me preferred. “ I knew Him not, yet ’twas to make Him known That I baptized,—that so by me foreshewn Him as Messias Abraham’s sons might own. “He is the Bridegroom,—I, the Bridegroom’s friend :— On Him, baptized, I saw a Dove descend And o’er Him as in love Its wings extend. “It was the Spirit; and I heard a voice; ‘ This is My Son,—let all the earth rejoice With Me in Him,—the First-born of My choice.’ “ He shall lift up the lowly from the mire, And to exalt them to the Angelic Quire* Baptize them with the Holy Ghost and fire.” The following day, the Baptist as before, To Andrew and another, witness bore Of Jesus as the Lamb foretold of yore : Call of the Apostles. Book II. 216 “ Behold the Lamb of God,” he cried, “ behold Him of Whom David and the Prophets told, At once the Lamb and Shepherd of the fold ! ” The two disciples the like impulse share,— They hear with leaping hearts nor lingering there, To Jesus at their master’s word repair. “ What seek ye, children ? ” Thus that gentle voice (Whose gracious tones both earth and Heaven rejoice) Welcomed the first-fruits of His Father’s choice. Confused and timorous they found nought to say, Yet stammering asked: “Where, Rabbi, dost Thou stay ?” “ Come ye and see,” He said ; and led the way. They came, and all that day with Him abode, And, while their wondering hearts within them glowed, Drank in the words that from His wisdom flowed. Jesus meanwhile with prescience sure forecast The moulding of His Church, decreed to last Till all that changes in this world hath passed. Canto 18. Call of the Apostles. 217 Himself was all in all ; the fulness He Of the Eternal’s pre-ordained decree,— Rock, Keystone, Head, Good Shepherd, branching Tree. But to what heights soe’er our thoughts may climb The heavenly finds its counterpart in time, And earthly mirrors picture the sublime. Himself while visible on earth explained The mysteries in Holy Faith contained, And by His Word the sin-bound soul unchained; But forasmuch as He the end foresaw, When in obedience to Nature’s law He should Himself from human sight withdraw, He chose a Rock with His own Likeness sealed; A Vicar, such authority to wield As all the world should loving homage yield : He chose a Shepherd His own staff to bear ; A King, the sacred triple crown to wear ; And all mankind committed to his care. 2 I 8 Book TI. Call of the Apostles. So, to complete the work He had begun, He said to Simon: “Thou art Jona’s son: Thy name be Rock, by faiths confession won ! “ Be to My Church her underlying Rock ; Strong to withstand the world’s confederate shock,— The gates of hell and Satan’s power to mock.” This done, no longer will He have adjourned The sight for which His filial spirit yearned ; So homewards, where His Mother was, He turned. i And as through Galilee the way He led, He, finding Philip of Bethsaida said : “Follow thou Me!” He heard, then straightway sped To seek Nathanael, and inspired with zeal Such as new converts in their fervour feel— Would his glad tidings to his friend reveal. “ Our ears have heard,” he cried, “ our eyes have seen Him, upon Whom the Law and Prophets lean— Jesus, of Joseph, called the Nazarene!” Canto 18. Call of the Apostles. 219 To him an answer, not exempt from scorn Returned Nathanael; “What! a Nazareth-born! Good, hoped from Nazareth, were a hope forlorn ! ” Then Philip to his friend : “ Nay, come with me, I will conduct thee to Him : thou shalt see With thine own eyes, and judge how this may be.” At once the friends to Jesus’ Presence speed, And hear Him speak as One the thoughts could read, “Behold a guileless Israelite indeed!” Amazed Nathanael answered: “Who art Thou Who speakest thus, though strange to me, I trow ? Whence know’st Thou me, unseen by Thee till now ? “ Or e’er,” the Master said, “ thy friend addressed thee, While ’neath the fig-tree thou didst sit to rest thee, My eye beheld thee, while My Spirit blessed thee.” “ Rabbi! ” he cried, as all misgivings fly, “ Thou art indeed the Son of God Most High — The King of Israel!” Jesus in reply 220 Call of the Apostles. Book II. The future to His proselyte foretold : “ Thou shalt see greater things than these ; behold ! As Jacob rapt Gods Angels saw of old “ Ascending and descending; thou e’en so ’Twixt earth and heaven shall watch the Angels go And to the Son of Man their homage show.’’ Graces preserved from unthrift and abuse, Put out to interest by industrious use Graces of higher kind and worth induce ; So they who on Tiberias’ Lake, on board Their fishing-boats, heard Jesus and adored, From friends became disciples of the Lord; First friends; disciples next; then, closer still Apostles, faithful unto death, they will No less His counsels than commands fulfil. To them who with self-sacrifice begin, He giveth virtue other souls to win, And rescue sinners from the ban of sin. Canto 18. Call of the Apostles. 221 Higher and higher still, at Jesus’ call,—■ Minded to follow Him, whate’er befall— They quit their nets, their ships, their homes, their all! Nor did the world’s Redeemer choose the great, On whom pride’s slaves obsequiously wait, Foundations of the Church, His heaven-born State;— H is Arm hath marvels wrought: the proud man’s mind With vain conceit elated, He strikes blind : Puts down the mighty, and exalts the hind. He feeds the hungry, fills him with good things ; Confounds the rich, frustrates his reckonings, And all his worldly pomp to nothing brings. Lo, four poor fishers from Genesareth’s strand, Of rustic speech, of rough and horny hand ; — The first instalment of the Apostles’ band ; And next, an agent of Rome’s hated race (His very calling Israel’s sore disgrace) Among the chosen Twelve receives a place. 2 2 2 Call of the Apostles. Book II. He hath put down the mighty from their seat ; Bowed Emperors, Kings and Queens at poor men’s feet; Highest and lowest in His Presence meet! Strange Court! and in that Court strange customs seen ! For all that dazzles men with tinsel-sheen To Angels’ eyes shows valueless and mean Jesus the Nazarene is King of kings ! And while the world is blind to heavenly things, Faith with adoring love its homage brings. Peter the Fisherman, is honoured more Than all earth’s mighty ones renowned of yore,— More than all heroes of historic lore ! Twelve men in science of the schools unlearned, By Jewish scribe and Gentile sophist spurned, Have through Christ’s grace a glorious aureole earned. Blest are the poor ! They who to Heaven aspire, Ever by stooping lower rise the higher, And win bright crowns among the Empyrean Choin Canto 18. Call of the Apostles. 22 3 Blest they who on earth’s riches lay no store ; For them wide open stands Heaven’s golden door, And they as kings shall tread its sapphire floor! Soul of Christ Jesus, sanctify my soul : Body of Christ, Thy virtue make me whole: And Blood of Christ, my passions’ thirst control. Cleanse, Water from Christ’s Side, my heart from stain: Passion of Christ, support me in my pain : Let me not call on Thee, dear Lord, in vain. Within Thy Sacred Wounds Thy servant hide: Let nothing ever part me from Thy Side: Defend me from the foe’s malignant pride. Call me what time my passing bell shall toll, And bid me, with Thy Saints, reach Thee my goal, To praise Thee while for aye the ages roll. The Marriage at Cana. Book II. 2 24 BOOK II. CANTO 19. THE MARRIAGE AT CANA. How shall our Lord His destined Empire gain ? He is escorted by no royal train,— No warlike jousts inaugurate His reign. How to His friends shall He His glory show ? How give His faithful followers to know His power in heaven above, on earth below ? The ancient Seers His future advent told,— Now will He prove by wonders manifold He is indeed the Christ announced of old. * Such trenchant proof His Wisdom shall devise When, to His foes’ amazement and surprise, He from the Tomb death’s conqueror shall rise: Meanwhile, with lesser proofs of power Divine There shall, now here, now there, some wondrous sign, Some ray of Godhead, through His Manhood shine. Canto 19. 225 The Marriage at Cana. God, at Whose bidding times and seasons speed, Had in His Providence the hour decreed Nature should Jesus own her Lord indeed. That hour had not yet struck when, Cana, thou Didst see the youthful couple plight their vow And for the nuptial blessing lowly bow. Our Lord to that dear home His steps had turned Where thirty years He had obedience learned, Towards which, when absent, aye His Spirit yearned And there when Jesus and His Mother met, The pain of absence they might well forget And merge in present joy all past regret. But doubtless, as the Mother gazed upon Her longed-for Son, emaciate and wan, H is Godhead to her ken more brightly shone. She marked the dawning of the day, when grace. Should the attainder of mankind efface, And free from Satan’s chains the human race ; p 226 The Marriage at Cana. Book II. When she herself, in whom Eve’s curse should cease Shall have her portion too in man’s release As coadjutrice of the Prince of Peace. A marriage-feast at Cana! Mary there Gladly does honour to the youthful pair, And Jesus too is prompt His part to bear. Nathanael, born at Cana, is a guest By right of common township ; while the rest, As Jesus’ friends, are welcomed with the best. But ere the banquet ended, one by one The servers whisper : “ Lo ! the wine is done ! ” And Mary tells the failure to her Son. She knew His time was near,— His love how strong;— Haply He might, ’mid banqueting and song Exert His power amid the wedding throng. “They have no wine!” The answer Jesus gave, That sounds to shallow ears as censure grave, From Israel’s annals shall its import crave. Canto 19. 227 The Marriage at Cana. “My hour is not yet come ! ” Say then, can He, By acquiescence in His Mother’s plea, Hasten in time His Father’s fixed decree ? Yea, prayer that’s fashioned by a creature’s breath May make unsaid e’en what th’ Eternal saith! Man’s humble faith God’s purpose altereth ! / E’en though a Prophet’s voice God’s Will record, Our God may yield by suppliant faith implored, And prayer may change the counsel of the Lord. Such change in God the startled reason tries, And Holy Writ when God, o’ercome, complies Ascribes to God the Infinite—surprise. Instance of this the Jewish annals tell, When Israel, prone to murmur and rebel, Into idolatry and riot fell : What time the people from Jehovah strayed, Impatient of delay, and wanton played,— Dancing before the calf by Aaron made,—* 228 Th9 Marriage at Cana. Book II. The Lord would for His Justice’ sake restrain Moses from prayer, lest prayer His Hands might chain, Since prayer for mercy ne’er was made in vain. Yet Moses, God knew well, would surely plead, As aye had been his wont, for Abraham’s seed ; And God as surely would His servant heed ! When Justice therefore waves the avenging brand, Moses the Meek, will mediating stand, And will with prayer restrain Jehovah’s Hand ! And lo ! the power of prayer o’er God is shown In words that speak surprise : “ Let Me alone ! Let Israel’s downfall Israel’s crime atone ! “ What have I, Moses, say, to do with thee ? t Wouldst thou, a creature, cancel Heaven’s decree ? Wouldst thou against My Will prefer thy plea?” Yet Moses would not in his suit forbear !— Indeed, ’twas God Himself inspired his prayer; Moses prevails, and God is glad to spare ! Canto 19. The Marriage at Caiia. 229 E’en so when Jesus was content to wait For His first wonder the appointed date, His Mother would that hour anticipate: Therefore, when she the lack of wine had shown, He spake, as tho’ surprised ;—“ Let Me alone ! ’Tis not yet time My glory to make known.” He called her by a title which of yore Liege subjects gave to queens ;—tho’ evermore Unfaith will turn to dross the purest ore. “What have I,” He pursued, “to do with thee? Wouldst thou, a creature, cancel God’s decree ? And ’gainst My Father’s Will prefer thy plea?” Yet Mary would not in her suit forbear ;— Indeed, ’twas God Himself inspired her prayer; And she prevails ; as she doth ever fare: And as she knew the suit that she preferred By Him Who aye obeyed her would be heard, She bade the servers wait upon His Word. 230 The Marriage at Cana. Book II. And He, Who at the first averse would seem, Now bade the servers pour the limpid stream And fill the vessels to the lip supreme. Then Jesus said: “To him who fills the chair Of foremost honour, from the vessels bear.” He drank, and when he found beyond compare The wondrous wine, astonished he addressed The bridegroom thus : “ By most, the wine that’s best Is at the outset offered to the guest,— But thou hast kept the good till last.” Alone The servers knew the truth. From them ’twas known, And Jesus’ followers Jesus’ glory own. Canto 20. The Sellers in the Temple . 231 BOOK II. CANTO 20. THE SELLERS IN TIIE TEMPLE. Pale water blushing at its Lord’s behest, What time He sat at Cana’s feast a guest, The power Divine of Jesus stands confessed. Meanwhile the Pasch draws nigh and crowds ascend From all the coasts of Palestine and bend Their steps towards Salem,—there the Feast to spend. They throng the city, room is none to spare ; They throng the Vale of Josaphat, and there Tents scantly shield them from the midnight air. But Jesus for His Father’s rights concerned, Straight towards His Father’s house His footsteps turned, While fervent zeal within His bosom burned: Ent’ring the home of sacrifice and prayer, The golden casket towering in the air, Mammon He found enthroned and worshipped there. 232 The Sellers in the Temple. Book II. The colonnades that gird the Holy Place Ring loud with traffic ; at each column’s base Stand drovers lounging, while their comrades chase The straggling heifers through the Temple courts: Here bleats the sheep;—loud there the sumpter snorts;— One herdsman raves, another fierce retorts: Others less boisterous and to sight less rude But in the greed of mammon no less crude, Their doves or pigeons on the crowd obtrude. Clamour and brawling everywhere around Reach with discordant sacrilegious sound E’en the Most Holy’s solitude profound. Nor traffic only but usurious trade With all its venal symbols stands displayed, And God’s own House a house of change is made. Each one who from afar the Temple sought, The legal victims ruled by Moses bought And his half-sicle towards the fabric brought : Canto 20. The Sellers in the Temple. 233 The foreign coin impressed with strange device i And into current changed to pay the price, Was sunk in worth by grasping avarice. Who would not fiery indignation feel At men who so with God’s own House could deal ? And who hath wit to gauge Messias’ zeal ? Vain seemed the hope that viperous brood to charm,— What voice could consciences so seared alarm ? How tame such numbers with a single arm ? But lo ! some secret spell the crowd subdues, While the ungracious scene our Master views, And scourge in hand the traffickers pursues. He Who His people from their bonds to bring, Could e’en with flies prevail o’er Egypt’s King, Can rule ten thousand with a scourge of string. He chased the boisterous drovers with their herds, Chid them with vehement indignant words And cleared the counters of the frightened birds. 2 34 The Sellers in the Temple. Book II. Hear Him their sordid avarice upbraid : “ This Temple for My Father’s worship made, Make not a den of thieves or house of trade ! ” Then as aloft the scourge of cords He bore, He turned the money-changers’ tables o’er And rolled the rattling coin along the floor. Zeal, as is written, Lord, Thy soul possessed ; Zeal, as a burning flame, consumed Thy breast; Alas ! my zeal is lukewarm at the best : O, fire my soul with zeal whate’er the cost; No toils my fervour in Thy cause exhaust ; So Heaven be won, let all the world be lost! Canto 21. The Sermon on the Mount. 235 BOOK II. CANTO 21. THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT. Upon a grassy mountain’s gentle slope Jesus spoke words of faith and love and hope;- - Wide as the world their all-embracing scope ! “ Blest are the poor in spirit; for to them As princes of the New Jerusalem, Belongs of right the kingly diadem. “ Blest are the meek ; for, by their heavenly birth, Theirs is by right the heritage of earth,— And pride itself at last shall own their worth. “ Blessed are the mourners who in sadness drear Seek not for rest or consolation here; For God Himself their sorrowing hearts shall cheer. “ Blessed are they who thirst and hunger still Ever for justice’ sake to do God’s Will ; They shall be satisfied and have their fill. 236 The Sermon on the Mount. Book II. “ Blest are the merciful; who hear the prayer Of foes repentant and know how to spare : They in their time of need shall mercy share. “ Blest are the pure of heart; for they shall see God here, by faith from all misgivings free : There, face to face, where clouds and shadows flee. V Blest are the peace-makers ; whose feef have trod The path of life, with winsome brightness shod : They shall be called, and be, the sons of God. “ Blest who for justice’ sake encounter shame ; For such, made worthy of the Royal Name, As heirs of Heaven the Angels shall proclaim.” This said, the Son of Man pursued His theme: How all the bounteous gifts from God that stream As holy trusts His hearers should esteem : How they, persisting in the sacred groove Traced by God’s Hand, their talents should improve, And see that none the ancient landmarks move : Canto 21. The Sermon on the Mount. 237 “ Hide not your light; let men behold its rays, And glorify your Father as they gaze ;— Your single end, to serve, revere and praise ! “ Think not that I am come men’s hearts to draw From due observance of the ancient Law, Or rob it of its reverential awe. “ ’Twas said of old : Thou shalt no murder do ; I bid you curb each angry passion too ; Each supercilious, scornful word eschew. “ The Law forbids each foul, adulterous deed ; I bid you crush the evil in its seed, And check each glance that might corruption breed “ Thou shalt not, saith the Law, profanely swear : I bid you each unneedful oath beware,— Let Yea and Nay their genuine meaning bear. “ Men bid you love your friend and hate your foe : But I would have you all ill-will forego And to your bitterest rival kindness show. 238 The Sermon on the Mount. Book 11. “ I preach no novel code that might detract From aught that Moses bade in word or act,— I but anew My Father’s Law enact; “ And yet I give a new command : by Love, Figured from Heaven by the mystic Dove, Prove yourselves sons of Him Who reigns above.” Soul of Christ Jesus, sanctify my soul: Body of Christ, Thy virtue make me whole: And Blood of Christ, my passions’ thirst control. Cleanse, Water from Christ’s Side, my heart from stain : Passion of Christ, support me in my pain : Let me not call on Thee, dear Lord, in vain. Within Thy Sacred Wounds Thy servant hide: Let nothing ever part me from Thy Side : Defend me from the foe’s malignant pride. Call me what time my passing bell shall toll, And bid me, with Thy Saints, reach Thee my goal, To praise Thee while for aye the ages roll. Canto 22. The Stilling of the Tempest. 239 BOOK II. CANTO 22. THE STILLING OF THE TEMPEST. Not all whom Jesus calls His call will heed ; Some, health or earth’s entanglements will plead; Some, prompt at first, at th’ earliest check recede ; Some plead their parents’ needs, as though the King Of all the earth could claim an offering, That would mishap or scath to parents bring. Others, to track Christ’s footsteps unprepared, Who worse Himself than birds or foxes fared, By fear of want and poverty are scared. Ah! we must trust our Lord ! the Saints can tell How He lifts misery from the gates of hell,—• How none, confiding in His succour, fell. See Him, with watchings and fatigue oppressed, Quitting the sea-board on Tiberias’ west, Seek in a fishing-boat a lull of rest. 240 The Stilling of the Tempest. Book II. His to assuage each smart with soothing oil; But worn out now with unremitting toil, Behold Him, sleep-fast, on the hempen coil. Now through the gullies of the Eastern shore Rushed'the swift hurricane’s tempestuous roar, While the mad gale the sails and rigging tore. • Bewildered and scarce knowing what they do,— The Twelve Disciples and the affrighted crew In vague confusion to the Master flew : Not of deliverance, or escape, they think,— As reft of hope on ruin’s utmost brink,— “ Master, awake ! ” they cry : “ we sink, we sink ! ” Fierce rage the billows,—fierce the wild wind blows,— The vessel creaks and labours in its throes ;— And Jesus, Ruler of the tempest, rose: His scared disciples watched their Master rise ;— No sign of terror in His tranquil eyes ;— No sign of discomposure or surprise ! Canto 22. The Stilling of the Tempest. 241 Then He by Whom the thunder-clouds are spread,— Who rules the storm,—with gentle chiding said, “Courage, My children!—There is nought to dread, “ O ye of little faith ! ” As tigers charmed And tamed by Christ’s elect, with meekness armed, Have left the bodies of the Saints unharmed,-— So did the rolling billows, wild as they, Seething with crested foam and showery spray, Bound o’er the shivering bark, their easy prey,— But He Who in His arms the Martyrs bare, And nerved their weakness savage beasts to dare,— * Jesus, the Lord of Heaven and earth, is there. He looks upon the sea, and speaks His will : “ Be calm, ye waters! and ye winds, be still! ” And winds and waves at once His word fulfil. A holy awe—a soul-subduing fear,— Tranced the beholders, feeling God so near: “Who, say, is this, the winds and waves revere?” Q 242 The Stilling of the Tempest. Book 11. Ah ! we must trust our God ;—as Saints can tell, He lifts the shipwrecked from the jaws of hell : What terrors cannot trustful faith dispel ! Soul of Christ Jesus, sanctify my soul : Body of Christ, Thy virtue make me whole : And Blood of Christ, my passions’ thirst control. Cleanse, Water from Christ’s Side, my heart from stain: Passion of Christ, support me in my pain : Let me not call on Thee, dear Lord, in vain. Within Thy Sacred Wounds Thy servant hide: Let nothing ever part me from Thy Side: Defend me from the foe’s malignant pride. Call me what time my passing bell shall toll, And bid me, with Thy Saints, reach Thee my goal, To praise Thee while for aye the ages roll. Canto 23. 243 Christ Walking on the Sea. BOOK II. CANTO 23. CHRIST WALKING ON THE SEA. On the smooth table-land at Hermon’s base, Whence still the eye Tiberias’ shores can trace, Jesus has spoken words of truth and grace To thousands, who have tracked His footsteps ; some Bring Him their sick and blind,—their deaf and dumb;— Others, erst followers of the Baptist, come Persuaded by the signs in Jesus seen, That all His seeming weakness doth but screen Messias’ glory in the Nazarene. With loud acclaim their echoing voices ring : “ Hosanna, Jesus ! Hail to Israel’s King ! God ’neath Thy feet the hated Gentiles bring! ” But not for this He came : unmoved He viewed The surging thousands, and His power subdued The passions of that clamorous multitude. 244 Christ Walking on the Sea. Book II. The evening shades are gathering o’er the land ; Obedient to His Word, His faithful band Take ship and seek Capharnaum’s adverse strand : And then the crowd o’ermastered by the spell Once used the venal traffickers to quell, Dispersed, or e’er night’s shadows round them fell. Jesus, left all alone, in prostrate prayer Commends His labours to His Father’s care, And braces His Humanity to bear More labours still. The sky meanwhile o’ercast— Is big with storm,—the pelting rain pours fast,— And waves and breakers drive before the blast: Nor unremembered were His faithful Few, As o’er the foaming main they helpless flew, And fiercer and more fierce the wild winds blew. Erst in like case, the Twelve ’micl all their fear Had Him at least on board,—at hand—and near : Can He, far off, their cries for succour hear ? Canto 23. Christ Walking on the Sea. 245 While thus affrighted, tempest-tossed, dismayed, The vivid lightning, as it round them played, Showed Him, deemed absent, present to their aid. He walked upon the waters and He trod The sea as it had been the grass-green sod !— So the brute element confessed Him God ! They shriek amain ; on this their Master dear In all His wonted gentleness draws near ; Says, “It is I!” and banishes their fear. “ If it be Thou,” the ardent Peter cried, “ Bid me come down and tread the foaming tide And walk upon the waters by Thy side.” Anon He bade him come and Peter trod The waves as they had been the grass-green sod;— The sea made indurate by Peter’s God. But when the Apostle, deafened by the sound Of wind and waves loud menacing around, His faith unequal to the venture found; 246 Christ Walking on the Sea. Book 11. Deep in the trough of billows sweeping past,— Scared by the uproar of the whirl-wind blast, “Master! I sink! I sink!” he cried aghast! He cried to One Who heard him ; mid the rout Jesus remonstrant chid, His hand stretched out, “ O thou of little faith ! Why didst thou doubt ? ” O how the Apostle grasped the proffered hand ! How both were welcomed by the storm-tost band ! And lo ! no sooner did the Master stand On the ship’s deck, but there was wondrous calm : The morning breeze from eastward soft as balm Scarce stirred the fan-leaves of the distant palm— The palm not distant long, for lo ! they flew By other force than wind, that bore them through The smooth green sea beneath the cloudless blue: And as the keel the waters swiftly ploughed, The crew, while awestruck they around Him crowd, “Thou art the Son of God,” exclaim aloud. Canto 23. Christ Walking on the Sea. 247 No need to spread the sail or ply the oar,— An unseen force the vessel onwards bore, And in a moment brought them to the shore. Soul of Christ Jesus, sanctify my soul: Body of Christ, Thy virtue make me whole : And Blood of Christ, my passions’ thirst control. Cleanse, Water from Christ’s Side, my heart from stain: Passion of Christ, support me in my pain: Let me not call on Thee, dear Lord, in vain. Within Thy Sacred Wounds Thy servant hide: Let nothing ever part me from Thy side: Defend me from the foe’s malignant pride. Call me what time my passing bell shall toll, And bid me, with Thy Saints, reach Thee my goal, To praise Thee while for aye the ages roll. 248 The Mission of the Apostles. Book IT. BOOK II. CANTO 24. THE MISSION OF THE APOSTLES. Our God would gather all the human race Into His fold,—the noble and the base,— He welcomes all to His Divine embrace ;— And men He makes co-workers in the toil,— Through men He wrests from Lucifer his spoil, Duped souls unloosing from the dragon s coil. Where then the plains from Nazareth sea-ward shelve Christ gives instruction to His favoured Twelve How like good husbandmen the soil to delve ; How to make clearance of each noisome weed, How drain the stagnant marsh o’ergrown with reed, How fit the ground reclaimed for Gospel seed. He teaches them how Satan’s chains are riven, How to the contrite heart God’s grace is given, How sinners from their guilt and pain are shriven : Canto 24. The Mission of the Apostles. 249 He bids them through the virtue of His Name By wondrous miracles of love proclaim How from above their charge and mission came : He bids them make the sick and crippled whole, In energumens Satan’s power control, Raise up the dead, the suffering poor console. As He their enterprise of peace unfolds, He bids them seek, as shepherds in the wolds, His aid Who strong and weak alike upholds. Nor would He have their trust in God above Retrench their prudence,—simple as the dove But wise as serpents in their toil of love. He bids them be content to fare no worse Than He their Lord, and without scrip or purse The treasures of eternal‘life disburse; Those treasures on themselves so freely poured They should — all greed of avarice abhorred— Freely dispense as stewards of the Lord ; 250 The Mission of the Apostles. Book II. “ Go through the hamlets on Tiberias’ strand,— Go,—take ye in the market-place your stand,— Proclaim to all :—God’s Kingdom is at hand ! “ Proclaim the Rights of God ! Too long estranged Have men among God’s enemies been ranged, Their God-like freedom into bondage changed. “ Let the usurper from his throne be hurled ! Go ye, the Standard of the Cross unfurled, Go, and prepare the conquest of the world ! ” Canto 25. The Conversion of Magdalen. 251 BOOK II. CANTO 25. THE CONVERSION OF MAGDALEN. Auspicious day for sinners who lament Their evil courses ! Joy with grief is blent In the tear-fountains of the penitent. Auspicious day indeed when Jesus came To call, not scribes of sanctimonious fame But guilt-scarred sinners, humbled in their shame! Ye, heavy-laden, crushed by sin’s hard toil, Who from your fellows’ scornful gaze recoil, God comes not to condemn you but assoil. At Naim our Lord had healed the widow’s pain, Her only son upraised to life again, But since by deadly sin the soul is slain Lo, now a mightier purpose His design! Like the good shepherd full of love divine, He quits the safely-folded ninety-nine 252 The Conversion of Magdalen . Book II. And, leaving those for whom He suffered less, Moved to compassion by its sore distress He seeks the lost one in the wilderness. There was a woman, of a country town, Dead to fair woman’s heir-loom, chaste renown, Who sought in pleasure conscience’ voice to drown: By seven evil spirits held in thrall, Herself sin’s slave, she spread her nets for all And by her charms bewitched them to their fall. She had known hypocrites and found it true How a self-righteous, sanctimonious crew Are fain themselves what they denounce, to do. She had heard converse of the Nazarene, How He had oft-times with a Prophet’s mien Been in dispute with learned Rabbis seen : She heard Him lauded, and surmised Him vain,— One of the heartless Pharisaic train,— And so, an easy prey for her to gain. Canto 25. The Conversion of Magdalen. 253 She would go forth and in the public street, In all her bravery and charms complete, Jesus the Galilean Prophet meet: She at the fitting spot would venture nigh, Would, as in wonder fixed, arrest His eye And all resistless conquer with a sigh ! She came; she found men hanging on His word; She came ; — and listened ; — hushed ;—the Voice she heard A strange new feeling in her bosom stirred : She heard Him speak to men His Father’s Will, The law of love and lowliness instil, Pity the sinner and denounce the ill : And He Who knew that Magdalen was there, Turned towards her once, — by accident as ’twere —- One glance of earnest, loving, pitying care. Suffused with shame beneath His tranquil glance She stood confounded,—powerless to advance,— All her whole being rapt in wildering trance. 254 The Conversion of Magdalen. Book II. Nigh dazed,—while He to Simon’s board is led,— She to her home with eager footsteps sped And tore the tinselled turban from her head. The flaunting colours she had loved to don, The trinkets in the sun that glistening shone, Her sandaled shoon so daintily put on, All, all, she tears away, and in their place Some coarse out-covering without form or grace, Wrapped closely round her, hides her muffled face. Her changed demeanour soon the wonder raised Of her yestreen companions, who amazed Shouted in mockery—“ Magdalen is crazed ! ” She heard them not, nor heeded jeer nor taunt, Or chased some ruder jest with, “Hence, avaunt!” And fled with loathing her old sinful haunt. Jesus watched o’er her all the while, and gave Her woman’s heart, once fickle as the wave, The firm resolve,—the purpose strong and brave; Canto 25. The Conversion of Magdalen. 255 She will the past with a new love repair ; Only one gift of all her presents rare, The purchase-price of pleasure, will she spare,— That precious spikenard, destined to impart A gloss more lustrous still by dint of art, To tresses that enthral the love-sick heart. Now closely veiled, from all obstruction free, And full of hope,—was not pure love her plea ?— She sought the Guest-friend of the Pharisee. At Simon’s board,—unshod His sacred Feet,— But still unfreshened from the dusty heat,— Jesus, the sinner’s refuge, sat at meat. The host, unlike his fellows who with scorn Rejected and despised the Nazareth-born, Welcomed our Lord; yet was his welcome shorn Of all its graciousness, while he professed A condescending patronage at best, Nor gave the treatment of an honoured guest, 256 The Conversion of Magdalen. Book II. O how can Magdalen her zeal refrain While to a Heart so gracious men give pain With scant respect and ill-concealed disdain ? Ah! but her own past life, her fallen state! Have not her crimes deserved all good men’s hate ? Whose sins like hers in number, kind and weight ? With growing trustfulness and lessening fear, And heedless of the servers’ smothered jeer, Approaching from the porch, she ventures near. Scarce doubtful now how He Who sat at meat Will her confiding venturesomeness treat, Closer she draweth—close behind His Feet. Those sacred Feet she washeth with her tears And is not spurned,—she banishes her fears ; And in calm peace her new-found Lord reveres. No more incentive to the sin abhorred By God and Blessed Spirits, now outpoured From alabastrine vase upon the Lord, Canto 25. The Conversion of Magdalen. 257 The odorous ointment gathered by her hair From Jesus’ sacred Feet, and hallowed there, Breathes of the grace that makes her truly fair. O fragrance of a soul Christ’s savour made! O beauty of a soul by Christ arrayed ! O bliss where Christ His touch Divine hath laid! But man may err where God discerns the right And taking that for sooth that meets the sight May light mistake for darkness, dark for light. And so it no\v with the beholders fared ; Simon for good repute no pains had spared, No tongue to tarnish his fair fame had dared; Lo! where for favoured guests his board is laid He sees a public sinner, undismayed By presence so select, his home invade! How does the Master suffer taint so near ? Is He bewildered by a woman’s tear ? Does she impose on the unconscious Seer ? R The Conversion of Magdalen. Book II. 25S Were He a prophet He would surely know What kind of woman ’tis who treats Him so,— One lost to shame; the lowest of the low! He gives her liberty His feet to kiss! Doth He not take a wanton’s touch amiss ? Did ever degradation equal this ? Jesus, while Simon spun the sophist thread Of faulty argument, his meaning read, And “ I have somewhat I would tell thee,” said. “Rabbi, say on!” he answered. '‘There was one With whom two townsmen had much traffic done,— Who were his debtors. When he had begun “To sue for payment, they upon their troth Pleaded their want of means; the good man, loth To treat them harshly, straight forgave them both. “ One fifty pieces, one five hundred owed : Which of the twain the greater love bestowed On him who to them both compassion showed ? ” Canto 25. The Conversion of Magdalen . 259 “ The one, I trow, to whom was most forgiven.” “ Thou judgest right,” Christ said, “Who most is shriven, Is by love’s force to greater fervour driven.” “The bath,— the ointment,—and the friendly kiss, Are marks of common courtesy, I wis; Why be, my friend, in such kind acts remiss ? “She from her entering in hath kissed My Feet, 1 With tears refreshed them from the dusty heat, And made them glad with spikenard’s perfume sweet. “ Therefore I say to thee, her love so great Hath grace and mercy won, that love to mate, For lighter shriving, lighter is love’s weight.” So spake He to the Pharisee, and then He turned His loving eyes on Magdalen And said: “Forgiven is thy sin.” Again The offended guests with indignation glare; “ How does the arrogant pretender dare To claim in God’s prerogative, a share? 260 The Conversion of Magdalen. Book II. “How can He sinners from their bonds release?” He calmly said; “Let all heart-burnings cease;— Woman, thy faith hath saved thee, go in peace.” Soul of Christ Jesus, sanctify my soul : Body of Christ, Thy virtue make me whole : And Blood of Christ, my passions' thirst control. Cleanse, Water from Christ’s Side, my heart from stain : Passion of Christ, support me in my pain : Let me not call on Thee, dear Lord, in vain. Within Thy Sacred Wounds Thy servant hide: Let nothing ever part me from Thy Side : Defend me from the foe’s malignant pride. Call me what time my passing bell shall toll, And bid me, with Thy Saints, reach Thee my goal, To praise Thee while for aye the ages roll. Canto 26. The Feeding of the Five Thousand. 261 BOOK II. CANTO 26. THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND. “ Dismiss the crowds, O Lord, for they intent On listening to Thy Words are well nigh spent For lack of needful food : let them be sent “ Into the neighbouring towns ; too great the strain,—* Nor can they find in this wide desert plain Wherewith their failing forces to sustain :— “ Bid them dispersed their own provision seek.” Thus to their Master did the Apostles speak ; And He to them in turn: “True, they are weak ; “ They have been overtaxed ; their weary feet Brought them from far this morning and ’tis meet That we should help them, give ye them to eat : “ And tell me, Philip, whence we may obtain The necessary means.” To Him again Philip made answer : “ Lord, the quest were vain ; 262 The Feeding of the Five Thousand. Book II. “ Two hundred pence in bread were scant, I ween, Where full five thousand hungry men are seen, Whose wives, beside, and children throng the green.” Then Jesus answered : “ Philip, well I trow, Judas, who keeps our purse, can let us know Whether our stock be at its ebb or flow ; “ But have ye nought at hand ? ” Then Andrew said : “ Only a lad (for all our means are sped) Hath here two fishes and five cakes of bread.” Our Master bade them bring the barley cakes ; Into His sacred hands the bread He takes, Looks up to Heaven, blesses it and breaks. Five thousand guests and more the Twelve divide Arranged in order on the moorland wide By fifties and by hundreds, side by side : And there, while in the midst our Master stood, Our Master so compassionate and good, They shared the loaves and fishes as they would. Canto 26. The Feeding of the Five Thousand. 263 The feast of benediction thus begun ’Neath the slant rays of the declining sun, Is mid the darkening shades of evening done. When all was over—satisfied each guest— The Apostles gather, at their Lord’s behest, The fragments of the bread His word had blessed. Five loaves—five thousand fed—and after all Twelve good-sized baskets full of fragments,—call For power more great than nature can befall. And He, Who with five loaves five thousand fed, Now nurtures millions with His Flesh instead, And man is fed on earth with Angels’ Bread. God’s love how wondrous in redemption’s plan! What strange self-emptying in God-made-Man ! O Love of Jesus, more than wit can scan ! Beneath the form of Manhood, God the Son Reproach, contempt, and contumely hath won : What in the Sacrament of Love is done ? 264 The Feeding of the Five Thousand. Rook II. O more ! far more ! with depths far deeper yet. To rescue man and pay his boundless debt! How can mankind such lovingness forget ? If then, I suffer slights, contempt or pain, Can I, for whom the Eternal died, complain When union with Christ turns all to gain ? Soul of Christ Jesus, sanctify my soul: Body of Christ, Thy virtue make me whole: And Blood of Christ, my passions’ thirst control. Cleanse, Water from Christ’s Side, my heart from stain : Passion of Christ, support me in my pain : Let me not call' on Thee, dear Lord, in vain. Within Thy Sacred Wounds Thy servant hide: Let nothing ever part me from Thy Side : Defend me from the foe’s malignant pride. Call me what time my passing bell shall toll, And bid me, with Thy Saints, reach Thee my goal, To praise Thee while for aye the ages roll. Canto 27. The Transfiguration of Christ. 26 BOOK II. CANTO 27. THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST. The Lord had said to Peter: “ Thou art Rock;— On thee I build My Church,—and she shall mock The gates of hell and Satan’s rudest shock.” To him again He said : “ Get thee behind ! Thou wouldst set hindrance to the plan designed By God My Father to redeem mankind.” For Simon ill could brook the tale of scorn ; The flaying scourge,—the brow-encircling thorn,— His Master dying on a Cross forlorn. Now would our Lord His trustiest three prepare For those last fatal days, all solace-bare, Which but for grace had drowned them in despair ; With Simon Peter, who hell’s gates shall smite, And Boanerges, He ascends the height Of a secluded mountain : in their sight C/l 266 The Transfiguration of Christ. Book II. He prays and is transfigured. There, anon, His countenance a dazzling sheen put on And all His raiment white with radiance shone,— Whiter than linen, fuller’s skill could blanch,— Or blossoms clustered on the hawthorn branch,— Or snows from Alpine tops that wild winds launch. Then, as the three Apostles with amaze On their Transfigured Master wondering gaze, New marvels still their admiration raise : Moses, in glory at His side appeared, Moses, whose presence e’en proud Pharao feared,— Who, face to face, the bright shekinah neared : Elias too, whom fire from Heaven obeyed The ox consuming on the altar laid, Was there, in equal majesty arrayed ; The two converse with Jesus, and their theme Is the dread passage of that day supreme, When He at Salem shall the world redeem. Canto 27. The Transfiguration of Christ. 267 Then Peter, with perplexed surmisings tossed, Not knowing what he said, so wonder-lost, At last finds words his Master to accost : “ ’Tis good,” he says, “ to sojourn here and gaze On glories such as these : say, shall we raise Three tabernacles, Lord, to spend our days ? “ One for Thyself—and for Elias one ;— For Moses one?" His speech no sooner done, A cloud enfolds them, brighter than the sun ! No mortal could that gleam of Heaven sustain,— And over-awed, beyond frail nature’s strain, Sense-bound and reft of speech the three remain. As prostrate they adored, they wondering heard Christ’s Sonship by His Father’s Voice averred : “This is My Son Beloved: hear ye His Word!” He lays His Hand upon them : from the ground He bids them rise ; awakened from their swound They lift their eyes again and gaze around. 268 The Transfiguration of Christ. Book II. The venerable witnesses are sped,— The cloud of glory and its radiance fled,— The sward spreads green below, the blue o’erhead. Then they descend the Mount, and on their way Straitly the Lord enjoins them nought to say Of all that they had seen. “ Await the day “ When a new Sabbath shall the world illume : When from the spices that His grave perfume, Christ shall, the Son of Man, His Life resume.” They hear, nor comprehend the words He spake,— Only they hold their peace for His dear sake Nor, till the time assigned, their silence break. Canto 28. The Raising of Lazarus. 269 BOOK II. CANTO 28. THE RAISING OF LAZARUS. Lord, Thou didst come to make Thy servants whole, Thou canst the powers of life and death control,— Quicken alike the body and the soul : For as the body dies bereft of breath, Man’s soul no less is liable to death Whence nought but grace Divine delivereth : And that mankind Thy power herein may know, Thou hast from time to time on earth below Rekindled in the dead life’s warmsome glow. Christ raised Jairus’ daughter from her bed, And then the widow’s son but newly dead, At last He seeks a corse wherefrom had fled The spirit four days gone, that so He may Death and the grave despoiling of their prey, Give earnest of His own bright Easter Day. 270 The Raising of Lazarus. Book 11. So ardently to drain His cup He yearned That ever Calvary-wards His thoughts were turned,— Yet to the full He had obedience learned And while His Father’s Will the end deferred, As hovers o’er its nest some wistful bird, Jesus awaited still His Father’s Word. * A sorry welcome had He lately found In His own Father’s Temple, compassed round With His own people. There His Voice was drowned In threats of vengeance, for that He the Son Appealing to the marvels He had done, Claimed with the Eternal Father to be One.. Filled up their cup of hatred to the brim,— They, fierce as savage wolves, environ Him, Shouting as they would tear Him limb from limb. Unconsciously beneath His glance they bend,— He ties their hands,—in vain their rage they spend,— And when they vainly think to apprehend Canto 28. The Raising of Lazarus. 271 His Sacred Person,—without strain or force,— For is not He Himself the only source Of all their strength ?—to Jordans tortuous course Calm He withdrew ; and on those banks He sought The spot where John had rare conversions wrought And the quick advent of Christ’s Kingdom taught. There sojourned He awhile and many, led By earnest hope, to His encounter sped And found all true His harbinger had said. Meanwhile the winter season passes ; still Flows as a rapid torrent Cedron’s rill And its deep bed the rushing waters fill : Beyond it, towards the sunrise, Olivet With frequent trees of unctuous berries set Rises with steep ascent,—a few weeks yet 4 ■ And it shall witness marvels ! Crossed its crown, Some fifteen stades from Salem nestling down, Reposes on the slope Bethania’s town. 272 The Raising of Lazarus. Book 11. There, on those feasts which year by year attest God’s mighty Acts,—with welcome of the best Did Jesus and His faithful Twelve find rest; For dearly Lazarus and his sisters twain, Martha and Mary, loved our Lord and fain Would Him and His as guest-friends entertain. Lo, Lazarus dying ! His sisters, who despair Of human help, a courier swift prepare And thus his peril to our Lord declare : “He whom Thou lovest, Lord, is sick!” Our Lord Keenly though touched in pity’s sacred chord Tarried of purpose set by Jordan’s ford : “Not yet,” He said, “is Lazarus’ course outrun, But for My Father’s glory this is done, That hereby men may glorify God’s Son.” One day—and after that, another passed,— And, while the future He Himself forecast, He gave no sign of His intent; at last Canto 28. The Raising of Lazarus. 273 He said to His Disciples: “ Let us go Into Judea.” Then averse they show Reasons deterrent, “ Master, dost not know “ How lately Thou didst scarce escape the blows And stones of Thy ill-wishers ? Wilt expose Thy life again to such relentless foes?” And Jesus answered them : “Ye need not fear : Men stumble in the night-time dark and drear, But now as in the noon-tide all is clear.” Soon afterwards again the Master spake, “ Lazarus doth sleep ; fain would I undertake This journey from his sleep our friend to wake.” “ Lord, if he sleep he will fare better,” said The Twelve who ill their Master’s meaning read ; Then Jesus told them plainly, “ He is dead ! “ And for your sakes *tis well I was not there ; Now let us go.” Then Thomas: “Let us share Our Master's lot and fare as He may fare.” The Raising of Lazarus. Hook II. 2 74 So towards Judea guided by their Lord All bend their steps, and crossing Jordan’s ford Ere nightfall tread Bethania’s verdant sward. ’Twas the fourth day since Lazarus had slept And numbers who his obsequies had kept With Martha and her sister Mary wept. Martha with courteous zeal received each guest, To each new comer her sad thanks expressed, While Mary mourned apart from all the rest. Therefore to Martha first was brought the fame Of Jesus’ near approach ;—to Him she came,— How throbbed her heart at hearing His loved Name! She eagerly to give Him welcome hied And then with meek remonstrance “ Master! ” cried “ Hadst Thou been here my brother had not died ! “ But this I know, O Lord : whate’er Thou will It is Thy Father’s pleasure to fulfil ! He who hath Thee for friend need fear no ill!” Canto 28. The Raising of Lazarus. 275 “Thy brother,” He replied, “shall rise again.” She answered, “Yea, on doomsday, Lord; for then Shall rise for judgment all the sons of men.” “ I am the Resurrection,” Jesus said, “ I am the Life of all,—Life from the dead,— He that believes on Me tho’ life were sped “ Shall live ; and whoso in My Name believeth Shall never die but endless life receiveth And for his brows a crown of glory weaveth ;— “ Believest this?” “Yea, Lord!” she said, “I own Thou art the Son of Him upon the Throne, Come down to earth and as the Christ made known.” Then doth she seek her sister; drawing near With sweet consideration in her ear She gently whispers to her, “He is here “ And calleth thee.” One glance of rapture given, The cloud that mantled Mary’s heart was riven, As darkness by the dawn, all sadness driven ! 2/6 The Raising of Lazarus. Book II. She rose but spoke not, and with heaving breast Shrouding her figure in her mourning vest, Sped through the crowd of friends that round her pressed. They marked her on her unknown errand bent And wondering deemed that she grief-stricken went Beside his grave her lost one to lament. So Mary came and when she saw her Lord, Prostrate she fell and at His feet adored, While sobs His pity without words implored. An interval of anguish ! then untied Her tongue found utterance and distraught she cried “ Hadst Thou been here,—my brother had not died!” Her grief in Jesus’ Heart compassion found And entering with the rest the burial ground He asked of those who mourning stood around “ Where have ye laid him ? ” And they showed the way And Jesus wept and when they saw it, they Note how He loved him; others doubting say: Canto 28. The Raising of Lazarus. 2 77 “ If He on one, blind all his life before Could give the boon of sight, how not, much more, Save him from death for whom such love He bore?” He reads their thoughts—to Him all hearts are known— See Him afflicted sore in spirit groan, Making the sorrows of His friends His own. He bade them roll the entrance-slab away, Then Martha cried remonstrant, “ Master, stay! Corruption hath set in—by this fourth day! ” But Jesus answered, “ Said I not to thee,— Only believe,—thou shalt God’s glory see ? ” So at His Word they set the entrance free. Then Jesus with His Eyes to Heaven upraised Said: “O My Father, let Thy Name be praised, Hearing Me now as always ! These, amazed, Need proof that Thou hast sent Me ; for their sake With invocation of Thy Power I spake That they My Words as Words of Thine may take.” 278 The Raising of Lazarus. Hook II. This said, behold Him* at the entrance stand,— “ Lazarus," He cried, “ come forth !” Bound foot and hand, The dead came forth with swath and winding band,— Confined in arm and limb head napkin-wound ! No sooner heard the authoritative sound Of Jesus’ Voice but life and breath he found. “ Loose him and let him go! ” And it was done; And all were moved with awe and many a one Believed and owned the Mission of the Son. Canto 29. The Supper at Bethany. 279 BOOK II. CANTO 29. THE SUPPER AT BETHANY. The clouds are gathering fast, the destined hour— When hell to human seeming shall o’erpower Even God’s First-born, when the Heavens shall lower And darkness thick prevail,—doth nearer loom ; A day more big with portents in its womb,— More dread, more fearful, than the day of doom ! And yet to the disciples free from care And of the coming tempest unaware, The morning breaks with sunshine bright and fair. The destined spot is Salem—and the time The Pasch, with all its mysteries sublime Of Israel, freed from baffled Misraim. Jesus, six days before the Pasch, had sought Bethanias town, with loving memories fraught Of works of mercy by His virtue wrought: The Supper at Bethany. Book II. 280 For there great wonders by His Hand were done, At sight whereof misjudging God the Son, Men murmured that by magic hearts were won. The people to His word glad hearing gave;— Lazarus the eye-proof of His power to save Stood there before them, rescued from the grave. “If He go free all men His part will take;”— And with prophetic voice the High Priest spake,— “ One Man must die for all the people’s sake.” Now is the hour foretold by Jesus, nigh,— Now comes the moment loyal hearts to try,— I'he hour of darkness when the best shall fly. Often had Martha’s sister weighed each word Which now six months ago the Twelve had heard, When Simon in the Christ his faith averred. She knew He will submit to cord and chain, Be scourged—thorn-crowned—and crucified and slain,— Be buried, and the third day rise again : Canto 29. The Supper at Bethany. 281 And now with keen presentiment of fear, Anxious she feels the fatal moment near When her life’s Sun shall set in darkness drear. Simon, the Leper, would a feast prepare In Jesus’ honour : Lazarus was there And Martha served with all her wonted care. Mary, completed soon the frugal meal, Bearing in hand the earnest of her zeal, Will the forebodings of her love reveal : A pound of spikenard of great price she shed, Such as serves loving hearts to embalm the dead, In rich profusion on her Master’s Head. Nor did she in her deep devotion spare To anoint His Feet with sweet officious care, And wipe them after with her unbound hair. The gum from nard-trees that in Gilead bloom, Perfumed the house and scented every room,— A silent forecast preluding the Tomb. 282 The Supper at Bethany. Book II. Judas was loud in harsh and stern reproof,— The rest, less petulant, yet held aloof— As they too pleaded in the poor’s behoof! “Why,’’ said the traitor, “make the sacrifice On a well-meant, but foolish fond device Of that which sold would fetch so round a price “ As would procure a full and wholesome meal To feed five thousand poor whose wants appeal To hearts that for their fellow-creatures feel.” Not that the poor and needy were his care But, as the steward of the band, he bare The purse and all the alms-gifts laid up there. Our Master answered Judas and the rest, “ Why trouble ye the woman ? Of her best Hath she bestowed on Me—and she is blest! “ The poor within your reach are evermore, They meet you by the way side, haunt your door, And ye can make them sharers of your store : Canto 29. The Supper at Bethany. 283 “ But Me ye have not always. Ah ! refrain From angry thoughts! She by this act would fain Forestall My burial, wherefore then complain ? “ Amen, I say to you, no realm nor clime Wherein the Word is preached to the end of time,—- But memory shall record her act sublime.” O that, like Mary, we for Christ had striven !— O that to Him our hearts like hers were Mven ! o Say, for what else have we so oft been shriven ? Ah! Mary, mid the bustle and the throng, Thou and thy generous deed shall be my song, My patroness, my pattern, all life long ! 284 Palm Sunday. Book II. BOOK II. CANTO 30. PALM SUNDAY. The marvel wrought on Lazarus four days dead, Raised up by Christ from his sepulchral bed, Gave earnest of the rising of our Head From death to life. And now mid friends and foes Divers forecastings in men’s minds arose As Jesus’ earthly sojourn neared its close. Envy and malice ’gainst our Lord arrayed, And stung, to madness by the might displayed In Lazarus’ resurrection, schemes had laid Against His Life ; meanwhile the Apostles’ fear Alternated with hope, as now more clear His warning words or wondrous works appear: His wondrous works a power divine disclose, Proof at His will against a world of foes, His warning words presage impending woes. Canto 30. Palm Sunday. 28 ’Twas but yestreen that Jesus sat at meat, And Mary, judged by Judas indiscreet, Perfumed with nard her Master’s Head and Feet: Now on accomplishing His work intent, Jesus His footsteps towards the city bent, And in advance His two disciples sent To seek for, at a spot where two ways met, In a near village on Mount Olivet, An ass and foal whereon no man as yet Had ever sat: He bade them bring the pair And should they find the owner standing there, He for the Master’s sake the beasts would spare. E’en so the Prophet Zachary of old The fashion of Christ’s royal state foretold : “ Daughter of Sion, be thou glad, — behold ! “ Thy King upon a lowly colt shall ride, — Its dam, inured to bear the yoke, beside ;— His pomp in meekness shall Thy Saviour hide.” Ol 286 Palm Sunday. Book II. Some on the patient creature improvise Whereon the Lord may sit; and all with cries Of joyous acclamation rend the skies ; Some their devotion to the Master show Spreading their garments on the way they go ; Some, cutting branches from the palms that grow With fan-like foliage on either side Bestrew the road, along which Christ shall ride, And shout with joy beseeming Paschal-tide;— “ Hosanna to the son of David ! Bring, To Him Who cometh in God’s Name, our King, Glory and praise! Loud, loud Hosannas sing!” Stung to the quick, the priests and scribes exclaim, “ Rabbi ! rebuke the crowd for very shame! ” But Jesus answered, “Nay! forbear to blame “ These harmless signs of joy, nor entertain Harsh thoughts; for know, should these their joy restrain, The very rocks and stones would ring again ! ” Canto 30. Palm Sunday . 287 Then Jesus gazing on the city wept, And sorrowing said : “ Hadst thou but faithful kept The Prophets’ words, thou hadst with gladness leapt, “ Not mourned in this thy day! For God’s own Peace Had been thy portion, and a full increase Of all good things : but now all joy shall cease “In rueful blindness. Lo ! thy foes around Shall slay thy children, in thy borders found, And compass thee, and rase thee to the ground. “ Because the times and seasons erst made known By ancient prophecy, thou wouldst not own, Thou shalt lie waste, in dire confusion thrown.” 288 Preaching in the Temple. Book II. BOOK II. CANTO 31. PREACHING IN THE TEMPLE. His Public Life is done ; a few days more,— The hearts of His disciples shall deplore The Sun of Justice set,—cloucl-mantled o’er. But first, the day of Palms,—the Temple sought;— For Jesus’ touch the crowd their sick ones brought And by that touch at once He healed and taught; To Gentiles also, who at Paschal time To Salem came from many a distant clime, A voice from Heaven attests His claims sublime: E’en children hail Him Heir to David’s Throne; I he Scribes and Priests and Pharisees alone Reject His Mission and His rights disown. No man was found when night her veil had spread Who to his hearth or board our Master led, Or gave Him shelter where to lay His Head. Canto 31. Preaching in the Temple. 289 The morrow morn the angry rulers ask, “ Who gave Thee right men's deeds to call to task, Or from hypocrisy tear off its mask ? ” He proves their malice and rejects the blame On those who challenge Him, and in truth’s name Puts them to silence, albeit dead to shame. Then with the Twelve, or e’er the sun had set, As He ascends the slope of Olivet, Their retrospective gaze the Temple met ;—- Peter and James and John and Andrew there Bade Him take notice of its structure rare, With silent grandeur towering in the air. He the dread future to their ken unveiled,— A day of doom ;—Salem by foes assailed ;— And the premonitory signs detailed. There shall aloft be elemental wars, On earth distress and judgment at the doors, While ocean, wild with wind and tempest roars. T Preaching in the Temple. Book 11 . 290 Then shall, upon the clouds, in dazzling sheen, The Son of Man, the heavens and earth between, Attended by the Angel Hosts be seen. Be ye then ever watchful : Watch and pray ! So shall ye, void of fear ’mid earth’s dismay, Welcome the dawning of the Eternal Day. Soul of Christ Jesus, sanctify my soul: Body of Christ, Thy virtue make me whole: And Blood of Christ, my passions’ thirst control. Cleanse, Water from Christ’s Side, my heart from stain: Passion of Christ, support me in my pain : Let me not call on Thee, dear Lord, in vain. Within Thy Sacred Wounds Thy servant hide: Let nothing ever part me from Thy side: Defend me from the foe’s malignant pride. Call me what time my passing bell shall toll, And bid me, with Thy Saints, reach Thee my goal, To praise Thee while for aye the ages roll. Canto 32, 29I Seeming Good and Real Good. BOOK II. CANTO 32. SEEMING GOOD AND REAL GOOD. Semblance of good ! With pleasures that seem pure Ofttimes doth Lucifer those souls allure Which might from his temptations seem secure. Of this be certain, that he will not lose His prey without a struggle : so he wooes Man’s heedlessness, and whispers him to choose What seemeth good. How good, quoth he, is wealth ! He knows wealth genders pride and so by stealth Infects the soul and saps its ghostly health. Good Angels true not seeming joys impart, Coupling content with honesty of heart, And soothe with comfort e’en sharp penance' smart : And thus consoled, God’s children ne’er can fear : No state so full of pain,-—no grief so drear,— But they can hold their own, for God is near. 292 Seeming Good and Real Good. Book 11. The Martyr, robing for the marriage-feast, Death-doomed by Pagan Emperor or Priest, Himself will irritate the lingering beast :— The sick man wakeful on a bed of pain, Will there, if God so will, life-long remain,— The Cross of Jesus turning all to gain. Such souls by desolation overtaken, Tempted to think themselves by God forsaken, Shall, for the night will pass, to joy awaken. Contrition felt for sins now past and gone Is streaked with rays of comfort, like the dawn, P'rom Jesus’ Heart, the Sun of Justice drawn. Our God’s good Angels cheer the soul in sorrow :— Sorrows to-day which will have passed to-morrow, Reflected light from joys in prospect borrow : But Satan’s crew, obscuring all in cloud, The source of peace in mists of darkness shroud, And on their victims’ souls sad fancies crowd ; Canto 32, Seeming Good and Real Good. 293 Hiding the counterpoise to pain and care, These they call curses men are doomed to bear, Which must be drowned in riot or despair. Where God is owned as Lord, the deepest gloom, Though dark as night and lonely as the tomb, Will soon to unmixed happiness give room, While all the jocund merriment of sin How loud soe’er its frantic boisterous din, But masks a festering, cancerous sore within. When Nature craving for indulgence cries, Satan invents phantastic sophistries To prove such craving rational and wise:— t “ Thou, who hast joyed in merriment and song,— How canst thou quit the laughter-loving throng For paths to which sour devotees belong ? “ See the long years that yet thou hast to live, Canst thou those years to moping penance give ? As well with current water fill the sieve! ” 294 Seeming o Good and Real Good. Book II. “ Nay,” saith thy Master, “ what hast thou to dread ? Lo, from My Heart, of good the fountain-head, More than abundant grace on thee is shed : “ Thine enemy and Mine would have thee fear That life is all too long to persevere :— How know’st thou whether death be far or near ? “ Quickly the pleasures of the senses pall;— The peace of a good conscience best of all Brings happiness and joy, whate’er befall.” The man that gives himself entire and whole To God’s sweet Providence, shall find his soul In constant peace while journeying towards his goal. God can, and God alone can joys dispense Without the aid of outward things of sense,— Joys beyond all that earth can give, intense. Angels, or good or bad, the sense can use :— Thro' it, bad angels men to sin amuse,— Thro’ it, good Angels holiest thoughts infuse. Canto 32. 295 Seeming Good and Real Good. But holiest thoughts may yet be sideways drawn, And that which seemed so fair at early dawn, May be, ere nightfall, blurred by Satan’s spawn. The soul, arrayed at morn, Christ’s winsome bride, From its fair promise may be drawn aside, And ere the evening close, may end in pride. If thou wouldst speed ; — beginning, middle, end, — Must all be good :—who good with ill would blend o o Will step by step to lowest depths descend. If thou hast ever Satan’s frauds believed, Review the cunning arts thy soul deceived, — Let trust betrayed be, ere too late, retrieved. Be out of tune with evil : if sin glide Noiseless into thy soul, noiseless abide,— ’Tis proof thy soul to evil is allied ; But if like water splashing on a block Of close-grained granite from the Nubian Rock, Temptation strike upon thee with a shock,— 296 Seeming Good and Real Good. Book IT. ’Tis wholesome sign thy soul is in the right;— No bond-slave to the fiend that prowls by night,— But faithful vassal of the Lord of Light. Like Spirits chime with like : by thy heart’s chord With the bright Angels, be thy God adored ;— Thy end,—The Greater Glory of the Lord ! Soul of Christ, do Thou sanctify my soul : Body of Christ, Thy virtue make me whole : And Blood of Christ, my passions’ thirst control. Cleanse, Water from Christ’s Side, my heart from stain : Passion of Christ, support me in my pain : Let me not call on Thee, dear Lord, in vain. Within Thy Sacred Wounds Thy servant hide: Let nothing ever part me from Thy Side : Defend me from the foe’s malignant pride. Call me what time my passing bell shall toll, And bid me, with Thy Saints, reach Thee my goal, To praise Thee while for aye the ages roll. / / THE END OF MAN. BOOK III. » BOOK III. CANTO THE LAST SUPPER. All but accomplished His self-chosen task,— Prefigured by the ancient Jewish Pasch,— When Jesus’ favoured Twelve drew nigh to ask Where to make ready for the feast, He sent Peter and John from Bethany. They went Across the Cedron Vale where many a tent Stood near the Eastern Gate : on entering there, A serving-man, He said, would meet the pair, Who in his hand a water-jug should bear : They should inform them of the man they saw, Where they, with azym cakes and lettuce raw, Might eat the Lamb prescribed by Moses’ Law. They did His bidding,—found as He had said, And guided by the house-holder, were led Into an upper chamber duly spread, 300 The Last Supper. Book III. Spacious and roomy, and with studious care Well-furnished for a feast : there they prepare All that the Law enjoined for Paschal fare. Who, that had watched our Lord each morn and eve, Had thought that when, that day, He took His leave Of His dear Mother, envy would bereave Her of her loved One ? She had marked His speech,— Dark words that e’en Apostles could not reach,— And stored them in her memory, all and each. How had He left her on that farewell morn ? As with a weight too heavy to be borne : And she, poor Mother, desolate, forlorn ! t Yet He spoke nought and nought His Mother spoke : But imminent she felt the fatal stroke ;— She let Him go, the while her heart-strings broke. The Apostles too, with anxious looks, surmised Some fearful grief at hand, till now disguised By their dear Lord. He now the Twelve apprised Canto i. The Last Slipper. 301 How with desire He had long desired Or ere in death His earthly course expired To eat with them the Pasch by Law required. They ate the Paschal Lamb,—they drank the wine,— Each one of better things the hallowed sign,— That, of redemption ;—this, of joys Divine. He spoke of His departure close at hand ;— How one of them,—one of His chosen band, — Should bear the stigma of the traitor’s brand. Ended the meal of that eventful night Our Lord one grace, most precious in His sight, Would on their hearts by His own pattern write : He knelt,—His outer garment laid aside :— A linen towel round His loins He tied, And then the feet of all He washed and dried. He came to Simon Peter, and essayed To wash his feet the first: but he, dismayed At humbleness so strange, his Master stayed : 302 The Last Supper. Book III. “Lord, dost Thou wash my feet?” “ Simon, not now Dost know My purpose.” “ Never, Lord, shalt Thou To such an office, so unseemly, bow.” “ Then thou and I must part,” the Master said : “ Nay, Lord,” he cried, as all reluctance fled, “ Not my feet only but my hands and head.” He came to Judas, and the traitor dared Accept the service as tho’ nought he cared, But in due course with all the others shared : And Jesus lingered at Iscariot's feet And pressed and handled them with touch so sweet, A tiger’s heart had melted at Love's heat! Perchance He kissed them too, and then upraised His loving eyes, and into Judas’ gazed :— While unseen Angels round, looked on amazed. In fine, when He had washed the feet of all, He bade them love humility, and call Those woes to mind, that pride of heart befall :— 1 Canto i. The Last Supper. 303 H ow He had been their pattern ; how they too, If they would prove themselves His children true, As He had done, should to each other do. “ Lo ! I, your Lord and Master, wash your feet : Is’t not for servants and disciples meet, They with like meekness should each other treat ? “ Blessed are ye, who hear and do My Word :— I speak not of you all, for ye have heard How in the Psalms of David ’tis averred “ That he, whom I had chosen for My trust, Should sell for pelf the Innocent and Just ;— The purchase-money with My foes discussed : “ That he, who shared My lodging and My board, Who called Me Master, and confessed Me Lord ; With whom I walked in friendship’s sweet accord, “ Hath to My overthrow lift up his heel.” O grief! enough to melt a heart of steel ;— Judas, thy heart hath lost the power to feel. 304 The Last Supper. Hook III. God hides Himself! instead of—an He chose,—- Shielding His Manhood from His heartless foes He leaves It helpless; down-crushed 'neath Its woes. Ah ! when I see the Heart of Jesus break Thro’ love for me ;—some poor return to make, I too will welcome pain for His dear sake. ’Tis much to contemplate the end of man ; ’Tis more the Angels’ history to scan ; Greatest to trace Regenerations plan ! See God the Word descend to man’s estate,— The Infinite the finite creature’s mate,— Exposed for love of man, to Satan’s hate. And men there are who dead to higher sense, Inflate with vain sophistical pretence, At God the Son’s abasement take offence. Oh! fools and slow of heart to apprehend How in our God, Power, Wisdom, Goodness blend, And things Divine to human condescend ! o Canto i. The Last Supper. 305 Boundless Infinity is itself the cause Which from high Heaven God the Eternal draws, And subjects Him to His own creatures’ laws. Some count Him raised so far this earth above That He for men can feel nor wrath nor love; — Be they fierce wolves or gentle as the dove. ’Tis because man is little that he finds Things great or small; kings, lords, and churls and hinds: And what to him seems small nor heeds nor minds : But God, Who finds equality in all, With Whom no creature is or great or small, Careth for things that men most trivial call. It is because our God is boundless Might E’en puny men are precious in His sight, And men so small, He lifts to Angels’ height By Angels’ bread, in that dread Banquet given From Heaven to those whose hearts with sorrow riven, Washed in Christ’s Blood Divine from sin are shriven. u o6 The Last Supper. Peek III It was His Charity His Wisdom taught To invent a means above all creatures’ thought,— Whereby to union God and man are brought. When as His earthly course drew nigh its close, He would not leave as helpless orphans, those Whom for His children and His friends He chose. What though His outward form were no more seen, As He had veiled His Godhead, so I ween, Neath lowly forms He could His Manhood screen : All duly ended then the Paschal Feast, \\ hen in the Archetype the figure ceased, I'he true Melchisedech, our King and Priest, Took bread, and as He broke the bread and blessed, He spoke the Love Divine that filled His Breast: “ This is My Body ; this My last bequest;— “ My Body, given for you : take ye and eat! Show forth My Death as oft as ye repeat This act supreme ! ” To make the rite complete Canto i. The Last Supper. 307 Into His Hands the precious Cup He took,— Gave thanks and blessed with Heaven-directed look, As One Who now the thoughts of earth forsook ;— And bidding all to drink thereof, He said, “ Erewhile, in figure, sheep and oxen bled ;— This is My Blood for sin’s remission shed.” So did the Son of God to man incline, And 'neath the humble forms of bread and wine, Make man, by union with Himself, Divine. But one was wandering through the city’s gloom, For whom no wreath of amaranth shall bloom : Woe, woe for Judas, in the Day of Doom ! God hides Himself! Instead of,—an He chose, Shielding His Manhood from His heartless foes He leaves It helpless;—down-crushed ’neath Its woes. Ah ! when I see the Heart of Jesus break Thro’ love for me ;—some poor return to make,— I too will welcome pain, for His dear sake. 3°8 From the Supper to the Garden. Book III. BOOK III CANTO 2. THE MYSTERIES FROM THE SUPPER TO THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANI ; INCLUSIVE. The Apostles’ College fewer now by one,— The hymn recited and the Supper done,— The Sacred Passion now indeed begun :—• Jesus would fain His Human Soul prepare With strength Divine His Agony to bear, And seeks that strength in earnest, humble prayer. He knows the hour of darkness has arrived When He, by His own will of aid deprived, Shall meet the death by Satan’s hate contrived. Grief-overcome, His natural forces fail, And sorrowful to death, worn-out and pale, He crosses Josaphat’s descending Vale. His loved Eleven, gazing on His pain, While at the sight their hearts are rent in twain, From idle words of sympathy refrain. Canto 2. From the Slipper to the Garden. 309 In pity He forewarns them of the worst;— The Shepherd shall be struck ; the storm will burst And smite the flock ;—and all shall be dispersed ! All shall be scandalized ! Then Peter cried, As one whose fervid zeal the worst defied, “ Tho’ all take scandal, I will fast abide.” “ Simon, take heed ; ere twice the cock shall crow,” Jesus made answer; “thrice,—this night will show, Thou shalt deny thou dost thy Master know!” “Never,” he answered, “will I Thee deny: Rather, far rather, Lord, with Thee I’ll die!” And all the rest in like protestings vie. Reached now the farmstead, hight Gethsemani, Eight He leaves there, and with His wonted Three He seeks the shadow of the olive-tree. He taketh with Him Peter, James and John, On whom erewhile transfigured He had shone, And to the inner garden leads them on. From the Supper to the Garden. Rook III. E’en three were too large company, and so Apart from them He all alone will go : As far as a man’s strength a stone might throw. But as their trial too was near at hand, He bade them watch and pray, that t]iey might stand Secure against the schemes by Satan planned. His depth of sorrow seemed His soul to drown,— His prayer unheard,—Himself bent earthwards down, Bowed like one crushed beneath His Father’s frown. On Him lies all the guilt of men’s misdeeds ;— For us His Heart transpierced with sorrow bleeds, God-Man for sinners agonising pleads ! Before His fancy in that vision passed Time’s durance and the world’s, from first to last, All the world’s guilt,—so varied and so vast. The sins begot by pride in Adam’s seed ; The sins of sordid avarice,—Mammon’s greed ; The sins that from the lust of dalliance breed : Canto 2 . From the Slipper to the Garden. 3 11 The sins that luxury and sloth inspire; The sins of burning rage and vengeful ire ; The sins in act, word, thought, consent, desire : All, all are marshalled there before His gaze; And Lucifer with craft astute displays All that confounds the soul, the heart dismays : — The sorrows of the faithful and the good ; The jeers and scoffs around the fatal Wood ; God’s Love by man’s ingratitude withstood. No friend is nigh with feeling heart and warm, To soothe the terrors that around Him swarm, No respite !—nought, to lull the dreadful storm ! God hides Himself! Instead of, — an He chose, — - Shielding His Manhood from His heartless foes, He leaves It helpless ; — down-crushed 'neath Its woes. Ah ! when I see the Heart of Jesus break Thro’ love for me,—some poor return to make, I too will welcome pain for His dear sake. From the Supper to the Garden. Book III. I 2 At last, o’envhelmed and prostrate on the* ground, While the bright chilly moonlight gleams around His Heart, pent up with anguish, utterance found : “Abba!” He cries, “O Father, hear Thy Son; Let this cup pass ; its griefs the brim o’errun ! If possible;—if not, Thy Will be done!” He rises dazed and, woe that it should be, Those He had left to pray—the favoured Three — He findeth sleeping ’neath the olive-tree. Hear Him remonstrant thus to Simon speak,— “ Are thine eyes heavy, that they slumber seek ? The spirit, ay, is prompt : the flesh is weak! ” Again He left them and again He felt The sins of all that on the earth had dwelt,— And God’s just wrath on hardened sinners dealt. Again He prayed, “ O Father, hear Thy Son ; Let this cup pass ; its griefs the brim o’er-run ! If possible ;—if not, Thy Will be done!” Canto 2. From the Slipper to the Garden. 3 r 3 To Him, descending thro’ the moon-gleam weird, An Angel in a track of light appeared, To comfort Him Whom all in Heaven revered : And He receives new strength to bear Him through The onslaught made by Satan’s desperate crew, While fiercer and more fierce the conflict grew : At last His frame surcharged resists no more : A Bloody Sweat that bursts from every pore, Moistens the ground with drops of trickling gore. H e rises dazed, and woe that it should be, Those He had left to pray,—the favoured Three, He findeth sleeping ’neath the olive-tree. See Him with gentle force the Three awake “ What! not one hour with Me your vigil make ? Pray, lest temptation o’er ye vantage take.” Once more He quits them, and exerts again Divine endurance and love’s utmost strain,—- ’Neath desolation’s last excess of pain : 3 r 4 From the Supper to the Garden. Book hi. His prayer is heard ! though in the darkness loom A future, wrapped in gathering clouds and gloom, The Father hears His Son ;—and stays the doom. The Father hears Him for His reverence’ sake ;— In sanguine sweat His feeble frame may quake, But still, not yet His Sacred Heart will break! He rises, and the third time seeks the Three,— Left by Him resting ’neath the olive-tree : He finds them sleeping, and He lets them be. But brief delay ;—eftsoons a diverse horde Draws near equipped with lanterns, swords and cord, Charged by the priests to apprehend our Lord. Now, no more sleep ;—lights glimmer thro’ the glade : Lo! Judas come! through greed a traitor made! By him the Son to sinners is betrayed ! God hides Himself! Instead of—an He chose,— Shielding His Manhood from His heartless foes, He leaves It helpless ; downcrushed 'neath Its woes, Canto 2. From the Slipper to the Garden. 3 r 5 Ah ! when I see the Heart of Jesus break Through love for me :—some poor return to make I too will welcome pain for His dear sake. Book III. 316 From the Garden to the House of A nnas. BOOK III. CANTO 3. TIIE MYSTERIES FROM THE GARDEN TO THE HOUSE OF ANNAS (inclusive). The Paschal Moon, high in her orbit set, An argent disc upon a dome of jet, Lights up the verdure of Mount Olivet; Calmly and peacefully she rides on high As though all nature,—earth and sea and sky,—- Slept as an infant ’neath God’s watchful eye. O sad, that will of man should introduce Strange elements of discord, and break truce In creatures made for man’s behoof and use! For while the moon shines placidly on high, While the cool breezes thro’ the olives sigh, And stars bright-gleaming deck the cloudless sky: The fiend that rules the powers of the air,— And all the myrmidons of dark despair To thwart salvation’s plan their utmost dare : Canto 3. From the Garden to the House of Annas . They band in league man’s envy, malice, ire; Invade the very Apostolic choir, And Judas’ partnership with money hire. In vain his conscience for his Master pleads; In vain his Angel, whispering, intercedes; For wage of thirty pence the troop he leads. Meanwhile the scared Eleven cluster round Their well-loved Master, as the muttering sound Of nearing foes proclaims the Victim found. Judas for thirty pence hath bartered bliss, And, fool and traitor, for a price like this Will single out his Master with a kiss : Then Jesus asks (the blood-hounds kept at bay), “ Friend, wherefore art thou come ?—Ah, Judas, stay Dost with a kiss the Son of Man betray?” And then, “Whom seek ye ?” saith He to the crowd “Jesus of Nazareth!” they cry aloud, He answers, “ I am He.”—The miscreants, cowed, 3 lS From the Garden to the House of Annas. Book III. Fall to the earth, their strength and numbers vain; Our Master then, “ Whom seek ye ? ’’ asks again ; “Jesus of Nazareth!” they shout amain. # “ That I am He, just now ye heard Me say: Me if ye seek, the rest ye will not stay; Let these then unmolested go their way." So did He prove His word most true, that those Whom for His own His Fathers prescience chose, Should ’neath His sheltering care unharmed repose. “Ye knew,” He said, “My every-day resort, And all who heard Me could My words report : Why not arrest Me in the Temple Court ? “ Why come ye now to seize Me as a thief ? As though—too plainly false to win belief— I an ill-doer were or robber-chief? “ But ’tis the hour of darkness now,—the hour When evil spirits souls of men devour :— And ’tis your hour too :—to use your power,” From the Garden to the House of Annas. 3 1 9 Canto 3. Then Peter marking how the din increased, Smote Malchus, servant of the Jews’ High-Priest, . Shearing his ear; Jesus the wound re-pieced And spoke remonstrant; “ Simon ! dost thou think I from My Father’s sovereign Will would shrink, Or of the Cup He gives, refuse to drink ? “’Tis not as tho’ the heavenly legions slept, Or that they could not help and only wept: But,—how shall else the Prophecies be kept ? ” So the Good Shepherd by His foes is taken ; The trust and hope of His Apostles shaken ; And He, by one and all is left forsaken. And while the Apostles fly bereft of hope, His Hands are bound with chains and hempen rope And He is dragged and hurried down the slope, — Down to the Brook, — then up the adverse side Where flve days since, the crowds Hosanna cried, When in His triumph they beheld Him ride. 3 2 ° From the Garden to the House 0/Annas. Book III. The tight-strained cords well-nigh His sinews burst, As He is haled to Annas’ presence first, The role of culprit and of judge reversed : But few days gone, had Caiphas spoken sooth, When He, as God’s High-Priest, declared the truth ;— “ One Man must die to win for all God’s ruth.” God hides Himself! Instead of,—an He chose, Shielding His Manhood from His heartless foes, He leaves It helpless ; down-crushed ’neath Its woes. Ah ! when I see the Heart of Jesus break Thro’ love for me :—some poor return to make I too will welcome pain for His dear sake. Peter who had by panic fear possessed Fled like the others on the Lord’s arrest, Soon with remorse awakened in his breast Follows the escort thro’ the City Gate Fearful at heart, but fain to learn what fate May the Beloved One of his heart await Canto 3. From the Garden to the House of A nnas. 3 21 Annas with haughty, supercilious air, As though the accused were one below his care, Bids Him His followers and designs declare; And Jesus answers : “ I the world have taught Ever without reserve or after-thought; Ne’er have I secret hiding-places sought : “ Aye in the Synagogue or Temple Court,—- Where Jews and foreigners in crowds resort,— I taught; and they My teaching can report : “ Me wherefore dost thou ask ? around us, lo! Many I see have heard Me : let them show What is My doctrine ;—for indeed they know.” At this appeal so fair, in cause so grave, With simulated zeal a menial slave, On Jesus’ Face Divine, presumptuous gave A cruel blow with iron-gaunted fist! He meekly answered : “ Have I justice missed, Bear witness then against Me, an thou list :— v From the Garden to the House of Annas. Book III. 3 22 “ But have I spoke aright ? then why that blow ? ” Meanwhile, bewildered, Peter stood below Warming himself beside a brazier’s glow : Ere long the handmaid charged to keep the door Looked at him steadfastly and scanned him o’er, And thus at last : “ Thee have I marked before “ Among the followers of the Nazarene, And ’mongst His very intimates have seen!” “ Woman,” he said, “ I know not what you mean ! ” Simon, predestinate, as firmest Rock To bear, when Christ was risen, Hell’s rudest shock, Stands, thro’ self-trust, a woman’s laughing-stock ! A few years later, and nor threat nor taunt Shall Peter’s meek and humble spirit daunt,— Proof to confront Imperial Caesar’s vaunt. He then, with Paul of Tarsus by his side, Shall brave e’en Rome herself in all her pride, Head downwards for his Master crucified. Canto 4. From the House of Annas to that of Caiphas. 323 BOOK III. CANTO 4. THE MYSTERIES FROM THE HOUSE OF ANNAS TO THE HOUSE OF CAIPFIAS. Evil, to human seeming, hath prevailed,— The Lord of Life with rancorous hate assailed From Annas’ house to Caiphas’ is haled : 1 And men were told the prisoner whom they saw, Once object of their reverential awe, Had been confronted with the Holy Law,— That Annas carefully His cause had tried,— Had judged it clearly proved, and now relied On Caiphas the sentence to decide. It was this year saw Annas’ title pass To Caiphas, now chiefest of his class, But void of priestly worth as sounding brass. So Jesus stood, before His own High Priest;— Jesus,—in Whom the Jewish priesthood ceased,— Himself the Victim of the Paschal Feast, Book III. From the House of Annas lo that of Ca if has. Will full connivance of the venal court, Suborned false witnesses Christ’s words report, And their true meaning, travestied, distort : douching His promised sign, they captious swore, “ The Temple levelled,—ere three days were o’er, He would the work of fifty years restore.” ddte while false witness gainst our Lord is brought, He, like a lamb before its shearers, nought In answer spoke : till Caiphas, distraught And passionate demanded : “ Dost not hear The proofs that stamp Thy guilt like noon-day clear ? ” Silent He stood, unmoved by taunt or fear. The High Priest then, with frantic wrath inflamed, No longer master of himself exclaimed : “ By Him, Who Israel’s Living God is named, “ 1 do adjure Thee, tell us, Yea or No ! Art Thou the Christ, the Son of God ? ” “ E’en so !— I am!” He said, “and time the truth will show;— Canto 4. From the House of A nnas to that of Caiphas. 325 “ And ye the power of the Son shall own Seated at God’s Right Hand, upon His Throne, Alike by friends and foes confessed and known.” The High Priest rent amain his vesture’s hem, Reckless of rich brocade or priceless gem,— Turned to the Councillors and asked of them : “Ye hear His blasphemy! why waste the breath Of witnesses ? Ye hear Him,—what He saith :—• What say ye ?—Guilty ? ” “ Guilty, ay, of death ! ” God hides Himself! Instead of,—an He chose, Shielding His Manhood from His heartless foes He leaves It helpless down-crushed ’neath Its woes. Ah ! when I see the Heart of Jesus break Thro’ love for me ; some poor return to make I too will welcome pain for His dear sake. Peter meanwhile, irresolute and cowed, Anxious from curious eyes himself to shroud And pass unrecognised among the crowd, 326 From the House of Annas to that of Caiphas. Book nr. With a disquietude he fain would hide, The standers-by with many a question plied Concerning Him he had so late denied! Whilst he, uncertain, wanders here and there, A maid exclaimed, “Why,—I could witness bear, You of the followers of Jesus were.” All turned upon him their inquiring eyes, While he, pretending innocent surprise, His Master for the second time denies. He flies the spot, and, passing by the door, Fear-stricken he betrays himself the more, And in the Hall, the bright moon shining o’er, First one and then another at him stare, Reading his features by the brazier’s glare, And from his accent and bewildered air Bespeak him friend to Jesus :—He began To call down imprecations, oath and ban :— “Sirs! I am not!—I do not know the Man!” Canto 4. Front the Hottse of A nncts to that of Caiphas. 32 / The second time the bird of morning crowed : Then Simon’s heart with bitter grief o’erflowed While Jesus, passing at a distance, showed By one sad glance how much He pitied him ; And then the great Apostle’s eyes grew dim, And floods of contrite tears ran o’er the brim. Jesus is hurried from the Court Supreme Into a dungeon without ray or gleam, Where never entered sunlight’s cheerful beam. He suffered sore ! could Angels tell how much ? Those Hands were tightly bound, Whose sacred touch Had rescued souls from Death’s reluctant clutch : And they who dragged Him handcuffed, bound and chained, From their hard-hearted chiefs more favour gained As their hard-heartedness was less restrained ! With hard rough hands they smite Him on the cheek ; Brand Him impostor, impotent and weak, And in derision challenge Him to speak : 328 From the House of Anitas to that of Caiphas. Book III. His sacred Eyes and Countenance they veil, And bid Him, buffeted and blindfold : “ Hail ! Who struck Thee ? say,—what, all Thy conjurings fail!” O Innocence, abandoned and forlorn! O ignominious shame, by Jesus borne ! Goodness Divine, blasphemed by human scorn ! They leave Him for the night, and each one goes Home to his restful couch to court repose, While Jesus watches till the dayspring rose. God hides Himself! Instead of,—an He chose,— Shielding His Manhood from His heartless foes He leaves It helpless : down-crushed ’neath Its woes. Ah ! when I see the Heart of Jesus break Thro’ love for me :—some poor return to make, I too will welcome pain for His dear sake. Canto 5. From Calphas' House to Pilate's. 329 BOOK III. CANTO 5. TIIE MYSTERIES FROM CAIPHAs’ HOUSE TO PILATE’s. The Jewish Court had sentenced Christ to die, Yet must it with the Laws of Rome comply, Nor by unlicensed act her power defy. Did they no more than excommunicate The sinless object of their envious hate, Such poor revenge could ill their fury sate : ’Tis blood,—and blood alone,—can slake their thirst! Jesus must die!—the Nazarene accurst! Must die the death ;—and of all deaths the worst! Next morning early, priests, scribes, elders,—all Impatient throng the High Priest’s Council-hall, And Jesus, the accused, before them call. Or e’er the sun the daylight had restored, The tablets, which last night’s events record, Once more revising, they condemn our Lord. 330 From Calphas' House to Pilate's. Book III. They put the question, “Tell us, Yea or No! Art Thou the Christ ? ” “ E’en if I tell you so, He saith to them, “Ye will not let Me go: “ Yet ye the power of the Son shall own Sitting at God's Right Hand upon His Throne, Alike by friends and foes confessed and known.” “ Art Thou Who standest there, a piteous sham, Art Thou the promised Seed of Abraham ? ” And Jesus answered, “Yea, e’en so, I am!’ 1 Not one of the assessors now demurred; All H is outspoken blasphemy have heard,—- And in the yestreen sentence all concurred, They bind His wrists with cords and handcuffs tight,— Was ever Innocence done such despite ?— And usher in with wrong the morning light. The powers of darkness have again prevailed : Jesus, with all indignities assailed, From Caiphas’ to Pilate’s house is haled. Canto 5 . From Caiphas House to Pilate s. J J 1 With sanctimonious scrupulousness there Legal defilement Priests and Scribes beware, And hold aloof with Pharisaic care : They go not in ; a parley they reclaim ; And Pilate acquiesces : when he came He asked them on what count the accused they blame : Proud, they insist that on their simple word His guilt should be presumed : the charge preferred Was theirs to judge, by heresy incurred ! “Judge Him yourselves then, if it be no worse; If ye no thoughts of mortal vengeance nurse : ” He said in mockery : “Ye at least can curse!” “ His crime is to the death,” they all reply, “ But, barred by Roman Law ’neath which we lie, We cannot sentence any man to die. “Yet not alone hath He our Law transgressed, To things of State He hath Himself addressed ; — High treason is His crime, beside the rest! 332 From Calphas' House to Pilates. Rook in. “ For is it not a treasonable thing Men to forbid their lawful dues to brinof ? c> And, spite of Caesar, call Himself a King?” Pilate returned to Jesus: “Who art Thou? They say Thou claimest to be King ! but how ? Small semblance hast Thou to that name, I trow ! ” “ I am a King,” He said. The Judge surprised, The meek and humble figure scrutinised, And, as half-witted, pitied and despised ; And in such mood he hears with bitter scorn The loud and petulant false-witness borne By men of ill-repute, suborned, forsworn. False tales and idle hearsays they relate, And multiply vague charges, in their hate, Of acts of treason, done against the State. The charges to the prisoner are made known : He hears them all in silence, and alone He lets the simple facts the words disown. Canto 5. From Caiphas House to Pilate's. * 2 7 OJv) While thus outside the Hall fierce passions surged,—- “ Dost Thou not hear their charges ? ” Pilate urged, “ Say, can Thy conduct of this blame be purged ? ” Tranquil and meek He stood, nor spoke one word ;— Whereat the Roman Judge, to wonder stirred, Again to Jesus’ royal claim referred. “ Say, art Thou Christ the King ? ” And he replied, “ This of thyself dost ask, or for thy guide, On other men’s surmisings hast relied ? ” “Nay, Pilate answered Him, “Am I a Jew? Your native priests call treason what You do :— What have You done ? Say, are their charges true ? ” t “ There is a kingdom of this nether earth ; There is a Kingdom too of heavenly birth : That one is mean, but this of priceless worth : “ This one is Mine : were Mine of this poor world, Then ’neath My standard, by My friends unfurled, Defiance would against My foes be hurled.” 334 From Caipkas House to Pilate s. Book in. “ Then, Thou art Christ the King ? ’’ He said, “ That name Is Mine of right : into this world I came, Confession of the truth from men to claim.” “Truth! What is Truth?” with supercilious pride The Gentile with imperious scorn replied : But on the spot his quest for truth belied By issuing forth, his parley to relate, Wherein, as touching treason ’gainst the State, He nothing found to blame, or small or great. Degenerate offspring of a chosen race, A surging multitude before his face Increased in numbers and in force apace : E’en here he hoped to find more mercy than In the High Priest and his besotted clan,— And thus, to win their favour, he began :— “ ’Tis your high Festival ! and it is your way To celebrate the gladness of the day By making with deliverance one heart gay. Canto 5 . From Caiphas House to Pilate s. 335 “ There are two prisoners here arraigned,— of these It rests with you to favour which you please— Your voice condemns the one,—the other, frees. “ Barabbas one, blot on the name of Jew,— A rebel, robber, and a murderer too ; Ringleader of a vile bloodthirsty crew :~~ “ Against the other, there are men who say, That He forbids you Ceesar’s dues to pay, And Rome’s decrees would have you disobey. “ Not then your privilege of grace to lose, Which of the twain will ye for freedom choose ? Barabbas, or the Christ, King of the Jews ? ” The crowd, with clamorous but consentient voice, “ Not this Man but Barabbas,” speak their choice ;— And scribes and rulers in the wrong rejoice. And they who five days gone, “ Hosanna,” cried, Changed like the vane by shifting currents tried, Are instant now to see Him crucified ! From Ca ip has House to Pilate s. Book ITI. 336 God hides Himself! Instead of,—an He chose,— Shielding His Manhood from His heartless foes, He leaves It helpless ; down-crushed ’neath Its woes. Ah ! when I see the Heart of Jesus break Thro’ love for me ;—some poor return to make I too will welcome pain for His dear sake. Canto 6. From Pilate's House to Herod's. 337 BOOK III. CANTO 6. THE MYSTERIES FROM PILATE’S HOUSE TO HEROD’S. It irked the Roman Governor to find The fickle people of their rulers’ mind,— No less to justice than to mercy, blind! Jesus had dwelt on Lake Genesareth’s strand,—- So Pilate in 'his state-craft shrewdly planned To pass the trial to another hand : Herod had lately from Machaerus’ fort Come to the City, and there held a Court, Whither the pleasure-hunters had resort At Paschal-tide. Erewhile he had not stayed, By a rash oath to a rash act betrayed, To slay Christ’s herald for a wanton maid : Here was Christ’s Self, and Herod and his train Exulted in the thought how mirth should reign, With such an One the Court to entertain, w From Pilate's House to Herod's. Book III. n 8 Strange cures had been ascribed to Jesus’ touch ; The blind dismissed his guide ;—the lame his crutch ;— The dead were snatched from the gaunt tyrant’s clutch ; See where the wonder-worker comes along,— Harried and hooted by a rabble throng, His goodness recompensed with graceless wrong. “He will,” thought Herod, “gladly win our grace; How else, so unbefriended, could He face The frenzy of a maddened populace ? ” So Jesus stood arraigned before the King;— And still His enemies new charges bring, Or on the old ones still new changes ring. Some, self-convict of bare-faced falsehood, come; With vain and idle tales, unproven, some : While Jesus stands before the shearers dumb ! Patience in Him and Royal State combine: He will not cast His pearls before the swine, Nor juggling tricks enact by Power Divine. Canto 6. From Pilate's House to Herod's. 339 He will not serve an idle pastime’s tool ; So Herod mounts Him on a mocking-stool : Then sends Him back, white-vestured, as a fool ! O wonderful humility ! How steep The infinite incline ! The depth how deep ! What can poor mortals do but love and weep ? God hides Himself! Instead of, — an He chose,— Shielding His Manhood from His heartless foes He leaves It helpless; — down-crushed ’neath Its woes. Ah ! when I see the Heart of Jesus break Thro’ love for me ; — some poor return to make — I too will welcome pain for His dear sake. 340 From Herod's House to Pilate's. Book III. BOOK III. .CANTO 7. TIIE MYSTERIES FROM THE HOUSE OF HEROD TO THAT OF PILATE. Herod sends Jesus back to Pilate : they (Putting’ their ancient bickerings away) By craft of state are reconciled to-day. Pilate, though loth, must now resume the case, And with time-servingness as false as base The ignoble path of compromise will trace. He trembles as he marks the human surge: They note his weakness, and the death-doom urge, And, cowed, he yields his Victim to the scourge. « O Jesus, weltering in Thy Blood Divine, Was ever grief so exquisite as Thine ? Would I Thy sufferings might assuage by mine ! Hark how the whips sharp whistle thro’ the air ! See how most ruthlessly His Flesh they tear, Cut deep the furrows, and the bones lay bare ! Canto 7. From Herod's House to Pilate's. 34i God hides Himself! Instead of,—an He chose,—- Shielding His Manhood from His heartless foes, He leaves It helpless : down-crushed ’neath Its woes. Ah ! when I see the Heart of Jesus break Thro’ love for me ;—some poor return to make,— I too will welcome pain for His dear sake. His garments gathered up,—the scourging done, New outrages await the Incarnate Son, And a strange interlude is now begun. His Love for men no torments can control— His holocaust is made entire and whole,— And He will die the death,—the Cross His goal. But first, His boastful and preposterous claim As One entitled to the Royal name, Prompts to the troop a right fantastic game. “ Is He a King ?—He shall be King indeed ! King-like, with royal circumstance shall speed ! He shall have worship to His utmost greed!” 342 From Herod's House to Pilate's. Book I If. They strip Him of His vesture, and instead Clothe Him in drugget of imperial red, And set a Crown of Thorns about His Head: Then for a sceptre, put they in His Hand A reed,—and bid Him on a dais stand, And give His orders to His martial band : At last, of gibes and blasphemies enough,—■ Such sport is soon exchanged for sport more rough,— Blows, spittle, buffetings and iron-mailed cuff. With hands well-gauntleted gainst prick of spine They press the piercing thorns the crown that line Into the circuit of the Brow Divine. They set Him throned, upon a broken chair: Into His patient Eyes insulting stare, And spit upon Him and pluck out the hair. Prone on their faces they before Him fall, And greet Him on their knees as King withal, While peals of laughter echo through the Hall ! Canto 7. From Herod's House to Pilate's. "> A -> In vain they buffet Him, blaspheme and rail, He loved them all too much to wince or quail ; — So doth God’s Love man’s malice countervail ! God hides Himself! Instead of, — an He chose, Shielding His Manhood from His heartless foes He leaves It helpless : down-crushed ’neath Its woes Ah ! when I see the Heart of Jesus break Thro’ love for me ; some poor return to make I too will welcome pain for His dear sake. A new device now Pilate’s wit engaged : — Haply the passions that so wildly raged Might by the sight of Jesus be assuaged. Resolved to win the people, if he can, He leads the Victim forth : he bids them scan The pale, wan Face, and cries, ‘‘Behold the Man!” The Jewish Priests, with shrewder insight, know, That not at fortune’s ebb but at its flow The fickle populace its grace will show, 344 From Herod's House to Pilate's. Book ITT. As Jesus stands before the judgment-place, No comeliness they find to win their grace ; — No sightliness in that bruised, livid Face: He stands despised,—most abject among men; — A Man of Sorrows,—struck by God and when The vacillating Judge demands again Their judgment on the Victim at his side, “Away with Him! away with Him!” they cried, “Away with Him! let Him be crucified!" God hides Himself! Instead of—an He chose,— Shielding His Manhood from His heartless foes He leaves It helpless;—down-crushed ’neath Its woes. Ah ! when I see the Heart of Jesus break Thro’ love for me ;—some poor return to make,— I too will welcome pain for His dear sake. Canto 8. From the House of Pilate to the Cross. 345 BOOK III. CANTO 8. THE MYSTERIES FROM THE HOUSE OF PILATE TO THE CROSS. Summoned to make their choice, the infatuate Jews, Tho’ Pilate’s self for Christ their pity wooes, Reject the fust One and the murderer choose ! “If thou,” they cry aloud, “let this Man go, A man Who would be Caesar’s rival,—know, Thou art not Caesar’s friend, but Caesar’s foe.” So, terror-struck at what the world might say, He will the sacred trust of right betray And, basely selfish, yield the wolves their prey. Yet would his poltroon soul evade the blame, So sure to stigmatise the deed of shame,— A deed of murder masked by justice’ name : Nor only so, but he was scared still more By visions of the night, that witness bore To Him Who stood His judgment-seat before : 346 From the House of Pilate to the Cross. Book III. Visions that moved his wife for Christ to plead,— Nor less for Pilate’s self than Christ indeed,— For, whoso touched that Just One should not speed. He called anon for basin and for ewer, As tho’ the outward washing - could secure o Honour untarnished and a conscience pure. “ Ye are,” he said, “ the authors of this guilt,— It is not I by whom this Blood is spilt! ” Whereat, “ E’en so ! so be it, an thou wilt! ” The people cried who, thronged, before him stood ;— “ On us and ours His Blood, if so he would ;— We and our children ; we will make it good ! ” Their tongues prevail : a Cross of wood is made, And on the shoulders of our Master laid ; Who, well content, without a word obeyed. Yea ! well content,—for was it not for this,— E’en to save sinners from the dread abyss, He had descended from His throne of bliss ? Canto 8. From the House of Pilate to the Cross. 347 Yet, tho’ with inward joy the Victim bent Beneath His Death’s predestined instrument, His weakened frame, with foregone anguish spent, Short space had traversed towards the city gate, Ere, ’whelmed by pain beyond endurance great, Lo ! He succumbs and sinks beneath the weight. God hides Himself! Instead of,—an He chose, — Shielding His Manhood from His heartless foes He leaves It helpless ; down-crushed ’neath Its woes. Ah ! when I see the Heart of Jesus break Thro’ love for me : — some poor return to make, — I too will welcome pain for His dear sake. His Mother at Bethania had heard Rumours by casual passengers averred, How all Jerusalem had been up-stirred By her dear Son’s arrest:—without delay, Nor waiting till night’s shadows, passed away, Had yielded entrance to the dawn of day : 34$ From the House of Pilate to the Cross. Book III. She sought the city, and amid the throng, Beheld in speechless grief the cruel wrong,— The Lamb of God, haled ruthlessly along. She would draw nigh ;—would share in His distress ;— But hindered by the crowds that round her press, All her love’s efforts meet with scant success. \ At last towards Calvary, the road-side nigh, The spot, without the walls, where He must die,— The anguished Mother waits His passing by. * Jesus, recovered from His painful fall, Urged on by menials of the High-Priest's hall, Crosses the limit of the city wall : Wearily toiling on with staggering feet,— Slow labouring onwards,—in the midmost street, The eyes of Jesus and His Mother meet ! W hat tongue shall tell the grief on either side ? o o His grief for her, who fain for Him had died ; Her grief for Him, doomed to be crucified ! Canto 8. From the House of Pilate to the Cross. 3-19 God hides Himself! Instead of, — an He chose, — Shielding His Manhood from His heartless foes He leaves It helpless : down-crushed ’neath Its woes. Ah ! when I see the Heart of Jesus break Thro’ love for me ; — some poor return to make I too will welcome pain for His dear sake. Soon, wholly spent, no more can Jesus bear The undivided weight : — not Him to spare, But lest He die uncrucified, they share With Simon’s strength the ponderous penal wood : — For God, made weak for man, no longer could Support the strain, but strengthless, tottering stood. Simon, Cyrene-born, abhorred at first The Cross, by Jews and Gentiles deemed accurst, But, when he yielded at the last, there burst As from the sun, with clouds late mantled o’er, A glow of wondrous peace, unknown before, Strangely contrasting with the load he bore ! 350 From the House of Pilate to the Cross. Book III. So aye are honest souls by Jesus blessed ; And when they seem to men most grief-oppressed Then, most of all, in Him they find their rest. And when in after times,—the truth discerned,— Rufus’ and Alexanders sire had learned Who Jesus was, his heart within him burned ; And then, sad memories changed to sacred joys, That day his never-wearying tongue employs, Each fact recounting to his listening boys. The next whose love He would with love repay, Was one, yclept, as ancient legends say Veronica. She watched Him on His way :— J She saw Him staggering! — ne'er could she forget How from His Sacred Temples drops of sweat Trickled profuse ;—His raiment was all wet ! The Matron, touched with sympathising grief, Fearless of Jewish priest or scribe or chief, Reached Him a kerchief’s opportune relief. Canto 8. From the House of Pilate to the Cross. 35 [ Nor void of guerdon did her love remain ; Instead of aught disfigurement or stain, The kerchief ’s folds a wonder-print retain ; As bears the wax emollient counter-sealed, The figure of the seal, so stands revealed The impress which the Holy Features yield. Jesus now falls a second time : anon Women, who mourn Him tottering, pale and wan, Give vent to clamorous sorrow ; He thereon Bids them lament their own and children’s woe : For if the green wood be mistreated so, What shall the dry and sapless undergo ? But why waste time in parleyings such as these ? Jesus must onwards as the ruffians please, And spent at last He sinks upon His knees And falls again,—the third time ;—but no more Need He be goaded on: the march is o’er,— And He must hang upon the Cross He bore. 352 From the House of Pilate to the Cross. Book III. So God the Son, made Man, the Father's Heir, Is stretched upon the ground,—and soldiers dare To strip Him of His garments, stark and bare : Nails through His Sacred Hands and Feet are driven ; His Mother’s heart at each sharp stroke is riven ;— He prays : “ O Father, be their sin forgiven ! ” God hides Himself! Instead of,—an He chose,— Shielding His Manhood from His heartless foes, He leaves It helpless : down-crushed ’neath Its woes. Ah ! when I see the Heart of Jesus break Thro’ love for me ;—some poor return to make,— I too will welcome pain for His dear sake. % «• Then to discredit more the Word Divine, One, on each side His Cross, with wit malign, Two thieves as His companions, they assign : This done, whatever Pilate’s craft might mean, The truth is in the superscription seen— “King of the Jews! Jesus the Nazarene!” Canto 9. On the Mysteries of the Cross. 353 BOOK III. CANTO 9. ON THE MYSTERIES OF THE CROSS. Jesus is crucified !—Hushed every sound Of joy in Heaven !—the Angels cluster round And mourn their Lord and King, nail-fast, thorn-crowned! Hardhearted Jews and wanton Gentiles rail, While they who loved Him most lose heart and fail, As o’er their best resolves weak fears prevail. Mary His Mother, stood beside Him then, Mary of Cleophas and Magdalen, And John alone, of less devoted men. The soldiers who had lift Him up in air, Into four equal parts His garments tear,— To each of the quaternion his share : Only His seamless coat, by Mary’s hand Woven throughout with one continuous strand, Finds by the die its owner in the band. x 354 On the Mysteries of the Cross. Book III. The Jews around the Cross to madness stung Outrage our Master, and from their foul tongue, Scoffs, taunts and insults without stint are flung. “Yah! Son of God! Who wouldst God’s House destroy, And build it in three days ! Thy strength deploy, Come down ! Of Thy vain boasts we wish Thee joy ! ” God hides Himself! Instead of,—an He chose, Shielding His Manhood from His heartless foes, He leaves It helpless; down-crushed ’neath Its woes. Ah ! when I see the Heart of Jesus break Thro’ love for me :—some poor return to make I too will welcome pain for His dear sake. In wondrous contrast to their jarring din, Jesus, all peace His Sacred Heart within, Breathes seven words that trance the Seraphim The first tells how, in Jesus’ Heart so true, Ruth for His ruthless foes would justice woo ;— “ Father, forgive ; they know not what they do ! ” Canto 9. On the Mysteries of the Cross. 355 Straightway this Word bears fruit, for of the twain Hung up beside His Cross in sheer disdain,— While both at first took part in the refrain Wherewith the standers-by held up to scorn The “ Galilean Prophet, Nazareth-born,”— One touched by grace is moved the past to mourn, And thus bespeaks his comrade ;—“ We indeed Of our past crimes receive the fitting meed : This Man hath done no wrong!” Then did he plead In his own cause, and Christ's good will implored : “When, in Thy Kingdom Thou shalt come, adored As Son of God, remember me, O Lord ! ” m. Nor did in vain the contrite robber pray : He heard with joy that chased all pain away : “ Be thou with Me in Paradise to-day.” And now, ere Jesus’ mortal life shall close,— Ere He shall yield His breath in death’s last throes, He on His Church a parting boon bestows,— Cm 6 On the Mysteries of the Cross . Book m That boon His Mother,—she, with pent-up sighs,— As Simeon had foretold,—and tearful eyes, Stands by His Cross, heart-broken, till He dies. John He bequeaths to her, and her to John, Each to the other’s loving care :—Anon, John takes her to his own, from that time on. Hereby, a cord of mystic love was spun ;— In Mary hath Christ’s Church a Mother won ;— And every Christian man is Mary’s son. Bequeathed His Mother,—sorrow’s darkling cloud Envelopes Jesus as a funeral shroud, And mournful shadows o’er His spirit crowd. Hear Him, Himself, all desolate, complain,— Must all be lost ? Must all His bitter pain Be to no purpose borne ? is all in vain ? Has He renounced His State? resigned His Throne? And chosen human frailty for His own ? To die at last abandoned, and alone ? Canto 9. On the Mysteries of the Cross. 357 Alone, alone, He hath the winepress trod !— And thus He cries, beneath the atoning rod “Why, why hast Thou forsaken Me, My God?” Count up His torments : Can He suffer more ? Hath He not sweated Blood at every pore ? Runs not the chalice of His Passion o’er ? His Heart is fain with agony to burst! What griefs remain ? Hath He not borne the worst ? He speaks! Hark! Listen to that cry! “I thirst!” Nay, Lord ! enough ! Some limit must be set To love’s excess like Thine. Thy bloody sweat And Calvary’s Cross have overpaid sin’s debt. Long since, at Bethlehem’s crib, hadst Thou begun God’s honour to repair :—the sand is run ! All, all is consummated ! All is done ! Suffer no more, O Lord, for man’s behoof! Pain-surfeited, regain Thy Father’s roof,— Thou hast of Love, past reason, given the proof! 353 On the Mysteries of the Cross. Book III. With resignation, Lord, entire and whole Thou teachest Saints to win their aureole ;— “I, Father, to Thy Hands commend My Soul!” God hides Himself! Instead of,—an He chose,— Shielding His Manhood from His heartless foes, He leaves It helpless ;—down-crushed 'neath Its woes. Ah ! when I see the Heart of Jesus break Thro’ love for me,—some poor return to make,— I too will welcome pain for His dear sake. Behold, thick darkness o’er the sun is driven,— Rocks rent! Saints’ bodies from the tombs up-given The Temple’s veil from top to bottom riven ! But, lo, the moon ere long heaven’s arch will climb, And for the Sabbath’s sake, ’tis well nigh time To bury out of sight the signs of crime : Jesus is dead : why should mere thieves exhaust The Jewish Rulers’ patience ? Time were lost Were they not done to death at any cost! Canto 9. On the Mysteries of the Cross. 359 So with brute violence they die ; but lest There should be lacking aught Christ’s Death to test, God’s wisdom pre-ordained that it should rest On certain proof: Longinus draweth near And piercing His Heart’s region with a spear, Red clots of Blood stream down, with Water clear! So doth God’s goodness frustrate Satan’s art:— As Eve from Adam’s side,—Eve’s counterpart, God’s Church, is born from Jesus’ Sacred Heart. 36 ° From the Cross to the Sepulchre. Book in. BOOK III. CANTO io. FROM THE CROSS TO THE SEPULCHRE. The lifeless bodies must be cleared away :— They must not desecrate the Holy Day :— Jews must keep Sabbath, tho’ its Lord they slay! Of the thieves’ corses they at once dispose Into a ditch hard by,—e’en as they chose,— Without or reverence or winding clothes. But Jesus’ Body was the Sacred Shrine Linked with the Person of the Word Divine, Destined in three days’ space again to shine United with that Soul, which now at rest Where neither Jew nor Roman can molest, With light of Paradise, drear Hades blessed. Joseph of Ramatha till now had quailed ;— But in this time of need God’s grace prevailed And while Apostles hid themselves and wailed Canto 10. From the Cross to the Sepulchre. 361 Their Lord in coward fear, and shrank afraid,— He taking heart, the Roman Judge essayed, And supplication for Christ’s Body made. Pilate, surprised that He was dead so soon,— So few hours counted since the fatal noon,— After inquiry made, conferred the boon. So then with Nicodemus’ loyal aid, All reverential honour duly paid, The lifeless Form in Mary’s lap is laid. See how His Mother, with a Mother’s care, No tender service love-inspired will spare : She strokes His Brow,—she smooths His tangled Hair,— She gazes on His pale disfigured Face,— Fairest, by right, of all the human race,— So gracious once, now all bereft of grace. How her heart bleeds, as, gazing on her Son, She marks the Blood which from His Brows had run ; And gathers out the thorns ; all,—one by one. 62 From the Cross to the Sepulchre. Book TIT. His Hands and Feet the ragged nail-prints bear ; The very bones, exposed to view, declare How deep the Roman scourge the flesh can tear. See His poor Mother in her grief’s excess, With such a Mother’s privilege impress On His cold Brow a Mother’s fond caress. No son had brought his mother such delight;— No mother’s love e’er glowed with flame so bright;— Companionship, most like the Infinite ! Six lustres gone, He rested in her womb :— Now she receives Him, towards the evening gloom, For deposition in the silent Tomb. And while her Son on costly spices slept, She, lost to things around, her station kept, So overwhelmed with grief, she hardly wept. When John in whisper minded her at last, That for her loved One grief and pain were past, On His dear Form one lingering look she cast; Canto io. From the Cross to the Sepulchre. No word she spoke, no sob escaped her breast; She went her way ;—she left her Son at rest;—- Herself all desolate, yet still all blest! Meanwhile the chiefs with counterfeited zeal (Lest the Apostles should the Body steal) Roll the stone home, set guards, and plant their seal. 364 The Desc lata. Book in. BOOK III. CANTO n. THE DESOLATA. All, all is silent! Lo ! the sun hath set, The bright moon gleaming on a dome of jet;— All still, on Calvary and Olivet! Night’s shadow o’er the unconscious city creeps, And all her children in oblivion steeps;— Jerusalem, the Deicidal, sleeps! The childless Mother’s heart is rent in twain, Nor doth the thought that He shall rise again Assuage her sharp excruciating pain : John, the Beloved, bequeathed to her as son,— (A poor exchange for Him,—her only One!—) Had a son’s kindly offices begun : She sat,—by him conducted to his own,— Without or speech, or sob, or sigh, or moan ;— Too great her sorrow for expression grown. Canto ii. The Desolata. 3 6 5 And thither came with loose dishevelled hair The faithful Magdalen, her grief to share, With grief less ruled, more kin to mute despair. And one by one the holy women sought The silent, dolorous Mother; and distraught, Not consolation, but their own griefs brought. As hours pass on, the thought that He should rise,— That ere the sun had mounted thrice the skies,— He should again bring gladness to her eyes,— Reminds her how her Son has won His prize; Opens the sluices of her tears ;—unties Her tongue, and “ Oh ! who is as God ? ” she sighs ; She meekly whispers, calm with grace Divine, “ I all to Thee;—to all Thy Will resign! Do Thou Thy Holy Will, and Thou dost mine!” Now see her to the other mourners turn ! See her o’er each as fondest Mother yearn !— They in her calm a ray of hope discern, 366 The Desolata. Book in. While she reminds them how her Son had told He must fulfil the prophecies of old, For thirty silverlings betrayed and sold; How He the rulers’ envy must awaken,— Before the Gentiles’ judgment-seat be taken, And even by His Father seem forsaken ! While thus she minded them of all the grief, Predicted and accomplished, she was brief, Hastening to tell the hope of glad relief That should succeed the sorrow;—He that died For Israel’s sake,-—by Israel denied,— Should not abandoned in the tomb abide And know corruption ; but ere three days flown, His Body raised to life,—His foes o’erthrown,— Death and the grave should Him their Concjueror own. Yet, truths admitted cannot fail to borrow Colour and sadness from the present sorrow ; And so, forlorn, they waited for the morrow. Canto ii. The Deso lata. 367 But the Apostles who, on that sad day, Had left their Master to His foes a prey, And taken flight in timorous dismay,— Where, where are they ? Where Simon ? who so loud His steadfastness had boasted, and was cowed By a girl’s question in a menial crowd : — He who one day should o’er Christ’s Church be head, Craven and frighted with bewildered dread, Like all the rest had terror-stricken fled. Will he now hide himself for very shame, Or will he openly his fault proclaim And self-accuser, humbly court the blame From her remonstrant lips would surely fall, Who standing by the Cross, in sight of all, Showed how no terrors could her soul appal ? Ah ! who hath ever reason found to tell Of harshness in that Mother who so well Had learned to pity sinners, not repel. 3 68 The Dcsolata . Rook III. He came,—and pent-up sobs his utterance drown ;—- She, her heart’s likeness to her Son’s to crown, Gave him her hand to kiss,—as he knelt down. The others, scared at their own voices’ sound ;— Some here, some there, precarious shelter found ; Some in the city, some in parts around : Meanwhile Christ’s Body, all that Sabbath day, That seemed to eyes of flesh but lifeless clay, With God the Son, joined in One Person, lay. So doth He still, God-Man, on earth abide, And, in the Sacred Host, His Manhood hide :— Angels adore, while witless men deride ! THE END OF MAN. BOOK IV. ft ► BOOK IV. CANTO t. OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST OUR LORD. OF THE FIRST APPARITION. Christ had no sooner yielded up the Ghost Than He descended to the shadowy coast,— The home of souls. A vast expectant host Waited His coming. There, abode the dead Downwards from Adam, mankind’s fountain-head, To those whose souls the last from earth had sped. In that still prison-house, in tranquil rest, With certain hope of God’s bright vision blessed, Kings, Patriarchs, Seers their souls in calm possessed. Year after year had heard the deep-drawn sigh :— E’en centuries rolled on :—the Dawn is niofh ! — o Rise, Sun of Justice ! Orient from on high ! Abel, whose body first beneath the sod Was laid to rest,—who first death’s pathway trod, Patient, expected there the Will of God ; 372 Of the Resurrection of Christ our Lord. Book v. Our great first Parents, though reproach was hushed, Still in the presence of their children blushed, Despondent till the serpents head was crushed : They who were heedless while the Ark was built, Yet, ere the Flood o’erwhelmed them, owned their guilt, Waited until the ransom-blood was spilt: Noe and Job; and Daniel, who so well Had learned the glories of the Christ to tell,— Skilled not to rescue their own souls from Hell : Abraham, God’s friend ; and Sara by his side ; —• Isaac ;—Rebecca, Isaac’s only bride ;— Jacob and Lia; Rachel too, who died At Ephrata ; chaste Joseph; Benjamin;— And all the Ancients who from deadly sin Were shriven or ere the hour of death set in ; He who preferred God’s least to Pharao’s best; Aaron, who bore the Thummim on his breast; Prophets and Kings ; good men and women blest;— Canto i. Of the First Apparition. n 'y 0/0 Counted the days since Gabriel of old Promised that Christ should come and claim His fold “ When seventy weeks of years were duly told.” Joseph appears, and to their joy supreme Tells of the Angel’s visits :—his own dream ;— Of Nazareth ;—Bethl’em ;—and the load-star’s gleam : John Baptist, who erewhile in Jordan’s plain Had been Christ’s herald, now, by Herod slain, Is welcomed as Christ’s harbinger, again. For six months more the Souls expectant wait, When some that tarried near the close-barred gate (Outside whereof the lost ones, fixed in hate, Pass from the world above to that below, Where they nor gleam of hope nor respite know, Consumed for aye in unrepenting woe:)— These souls, attentive, caught a far-off din, Which, nearing, echoed the whole vault within As though all hell at once uproused had been! 74 Of the Resurrection of Christ our Lord. Rook IV. All hell’s confusion cannot drown that scream !— 14ark ! the black demons shout as they blaspheme,— “Eh! thirty pennies scarce worth getting seem! ” “O wretched me!” the wretched Judas cried; “ O wretched fool ! ” his torturers back replied, “ To-day thou hast thy Master crucified.” Lift up your heads! Ye gates, uplifted, rise! Christ, with the radiant legions of the skies, Comes, and the prison-gate wide open flies. Who is the King of Glory ? Christ the Lord ! By saints through every age and clime adored, And hymned by Seraphs on their heaven-strung chord! The gates fly open, and a lightsome sheen Gleams through the prison-house; and Christ is seen; Glorious, majestic, amiable, serene. Adam and Eve, now prostrate at His Feet, Can smile once more : O happiness complete! O happy fault, such counter-foil to meet! Canto r. Of the First Apparition. 375 With His sweet benison He blesseth all;— Is fain each loved one by his name to call;— And gladden with the joy that ne’er shall pall 1 Winter is gone,—smiles now the longed-for spring! O, what a loving Master is our King ! Blest are the souls His risen glories sing! In the soft light that beameth from His Rays The happy souls in rapture gaze and gaze With Alleluias’ ecstasy of praise! And now a Guardian Angel, whilome sad, — Whose sadness, through the grace of Jesus, had Been strangely altered, and who now was glad With passing gladness,—led to Jesus’ knee One who not six hours gone, had heard that he That day with Christ in Paradise should be. Turned now to Eve, “Mother of all mankind,” Thus Jesus gently spake; “Recall to mind The boon My Father from the first designed. 3/6 Of the Resurrection of Christ our Lord. Book IV. “ How He Who mixed the salve for human woes Would make the serpent and the woman foes, And, with the tempter crushed, the warfare close:— "Come, Joachim and Ann! ’Tis time at last To cheer your daughter’s heart so grief-o’ercast, For all but Mine, her griefs all grief surpassed. “ Go we and seek her ! Come ye to the grave; The Body which to Me erewhile she gave, Now with Its Soul doth Its reunion crave: “ That Flesh, exposed to pain and shame and scorn, With scourges, nails and lance unseemly torn,— That Head, late wounded with the prickly thorn,— “ Those five deep Wounds which on the Cross I bore,— That Heart, grief-filled, but aye athirst for more,— My faithful through all ages shall adore.” All to Christ’s words attentive hearing lend, And wondering thoughts with expectation blend, While in still silence they await the end. Canto i. Of the First Apparition. 377 How high soe’er ascend the height to scale, All force to bar a spirit’s course must fail Piercing earth’s rind from Limbus’ dusky vale: Christ willed Earth’s surface and was present there ; The Holy Souls their Master’s virtue share, And, at their will, regain the upper air: The lifeless Body, stretched upon the ground, With myrrh and aloes in the cere-cloth wound Within the fast-sealed Tomb, they gather round. He (at Whose bidding Lazarus’ soul once more Resumed the body it informed before :— Who proved Himself Almighty to restore A perfect manhood, rent by death in twain) Makes His own Soul and Body one again, And in His Kingdom Christ begins to reign. After the Burial (when the Sun went down And night put on her glittering star-lit crown) John, through the by-ways of the silent town Of the Resurrection of Christ ojtr Lord. Rook IV. j7° Led Jesus’ Mother gently to his own,— And there she tarried; yet not all alone, For, like the turtles to the dovecot flown, The other women to our Lady hied And fain would spend the Sabbath at her side, And mourn with her, her Loved One crucified. 'Twas fitting when the destined hours were run, The meeting of the Mother with her Son Should find her all alone, with witness none. So while the rest their diverse paths pursued, The Virgin Mother in her solitude With calm presage the instant future viewed. John seeks out Simon ere the daylight springs, And he, the younger, to his elder clings Trusting the prudence that experience brings : s As for himself, his faith was vague: Alas! All that his Master had, as in a glass, Portrayed of pain and shame, had come to pass : Canto i. Of the First Apparition. 379 Those other words, no less precise and plain, That, three days after, He should rise again,— He thought not of them or he thought in vain. The same bedimmed, unhopeful faith attends The anxious care of Magdalen and her friends Who, for scant funeral rites to make amends, Seek their dear Master’s grave : they rose with haste Long ere the morning sun night’s gloom had chased, And to the sepulchre the pathway traced. Mary had perfect faith ! What God’s own Hand In wisdom, power, and charity had planned, She from the Prophet’s oracles had scanned : Not so the others; they indeed could draw Truth from the Psalms, the Prophets and the Law, When the fulfilment in the fact they saw; They failed to pierce the future : Mary’s eyes Are quick of sight, and her keen sense descries The mystic truth which ’neath the surface lies. 380 Of the Resurrection of Christ our Lord. Rook IV. He Who had fore-announced His Cross and pain, The bitter Chalice ’twas His Will to drain, Had also told how He should rise again: So then ’twas lack of perfect faith that led The pious women to the rock-hewn bed ;— While Mary tarried at her home instead. See her within her chamber, trouble-free;— Sure that, as Christ had promised, she shall see The issue with His Promised Word agree. Nor did her hopes prove frustrate,—while the rest Haunted the tomb, bewildered and distressed, She by the vision of her Son is blessed. Words cannot tell the rapture of that meeting, Mary with Jesus risen, each other greeting,— Evangelists have deemed it past repeating: Far less shall we, in over-curious mood, With thoughts inquisitive and footsteps rude, On Jesus’ and His Mother’s bliss intrude. Canto i. OJ the First Apparition. 38i The veil of darkness that the Godhead Is rent, and Jesus’ virtue, hid no more, Reveals Itself, all pain and sadness o’er wore And He Who came the Temple’s veil to rend And Heaven and earth, as Mediator, blend, Gives to His Mother joys, all joys transcend. Of the Second Apparition. Book IV. $2 BOOK IV. CANTO 2. OF THE SECOND APPARITION. Whilst Jesus risen to His Mother brought Such happiness as passeth speech or thought, The other Maries with sweet spices sought The tomb, whereon,—(lest friendly hands might steal The sacred Relic,)—Pharisaic zeal Had set for safety's sake the public seal. The women, conscious that their strength must prove Too slender from the cavern’s mouth to move The slab embedded in the rocky groove, Confer perplexed : arrived, they joyful own God’s goodness, in the tomb wide open thrown,— Unclosed the entrance, and rolled back the stone. But whence that trouble ? whence that ’wildered air ? Whence their contentment changed to sudden care ? The Body of their Master is not there f Canto 2. Of the Second Apparition. 3*3 All were perplexed, but more than all, distressed Was Mary Magdalen, who loved Him best,— And strange conflicting thoughts disturbed her breast. She to His Mother would the tidings break, And yet forbare for sheer compassion’s sake, Till from the Apostles she might counsel take. She knew where Simon sojourned, and that John Had sought him out ere sunrise, and anon Quick to consult them both, she hied her on. Confused, and wondering what her words might mean, The Apostles haste together towards the scene Of her announcement : she must be, they ween, Victim of some delusion. On their way They meet the other women,—blithe and gay At words of consolation which they say Angels had spoke to them,—“ Ye seek in vain The living with the dead ! Raised up again, He hath His promise to His friends made plain. 3$4 Of the Second Apparition. Book IV. “ Do ye not mind how, many a time, He said He should be slain, and after life was sped Again should rise in triumph from the dead?” Their tale the Apostles mere delusion deem ; As Mary Magdalen, so the women seem, By some strange fantasy beguiled, to dream. Yet, while they credence scant or none afford. They still are loth to leave all unexplored Words, which if true, so nearly touched our Lord. So both alert to Jesus’ tomb repair : John reaches it the first, yet doth not dare To enter in, but waits his elder there : Then Simon after comes,—nor long delay,— And both with earnest, reverent gaze survey The hallowed spot where late their Master lay. • Here, on the ground the linen cloths are spread ; There, by itself, the kerchief for His Head;— And all confirms what Magdalen had said. Canto 2 . Of the Second Apparition. 3*5 At last the Apostles with the rest depart,— But Magdalen remains ; her wounded heart Only where Christ had lain, can bear its smart : She hovered round the sepulchre and wept;— Unwearied, all alone, her stand she kept, Haunting the place where last her Master slept: She peers all round the spot where Christ had lain ;— And, lo ! to her astonished gaze again There sit at head and foot, bright Angels twain ! “ Woman, why weepest thou ? ” the Angels say : And she, “ Alas ! my Lord they’ve stolen away : I know not where they’ve put Him! Woe the day!” Angels could not content her; so she turned And in the twilight dim a form discerned, Nor recognized the Lord for Whom she yearned : And thus He spoke: “Why, woman, dost thou weep ? Whom seekest thou ? ” And she with sigh drawn deep, Thinking ’twas he whose charge it was to keep z 386 Of the Second Apparition. Book IV. The rock-girt garden where her Master lay, Said, “Sir, hast thou removed Him? Fell me, pray, Where He is put : I’ll take Him hence away.” And Jesus answered, “Mary!” and she cried “ Rabboni, Master!” and in rapture tried To kiss His Sacred Feet ; but He denied That boon as yet, and said, “ Awhile forbear ! And do not touch Me ! Fear not! thou shalt share This joy with others, like thee too, My care. “ I am not yet ascended : be it thine To tell My brethren, how the Word Divine Ascends to God His Father; theirs and Mine.” The veil of darkness that the Godhead wore Is rent, and Jesus’ virtue, hid no more, Reveals Itself, all pain and sadness o’er : And He Who came the Temple’s veil to rend And Heaven and earth, as Mediator, blend, Consoles His loved ones as a friend his friend. Canto 3. Of the Third Apparition. 387 BOOK IV. CANTO 3. OF THE THIRD APPARITION. While Magdalen at the Tomb remained alone And Jesus, to her ravished sense made known, Addressed her in His own familiar tone, The other women (on whose souls our Lord Had peace by messengers from Heaven restored) Were hastening on their way Mount Sion-ward : Salome, wife to Zebedee, was one :— ’Twas she had asked, Christ’s endless reign begun, A place at Jesus’ side, for each dear Son. The mother of that James was with them too Who prayed when stoned, for them the stones that threw, “ Forgive them, Lord ; they know not what they do.” Along with these Joanna found her place, Who, e’en in Herod’s Court received the grace To hate the world, and Christ’s dear love embrace, 3 88 Of the Third Apparition. Book IV. Who most had sinned, had also loved the most,— Happen what may she will not quit her post, And Christ’s first vision Magdalen shall boast The others loved Him too, and, if compared, Their love was less than hers,—yet still they shared In her reward, and as His loved ones, fared. Soon, as they went, their risen Lord they meet, His gracious words their happiness complete, And filled with joy they cast them at His Feet. No more doth He the signs of love withstand ; He gives full licence to the pious band His Feet to kiss and clasp with reverent hand. He bids them seek His brethren, and convey The joyful news, which like the morning ray, Shall change their cheerless night to cheerful day. They haste to bear His Message, but they seem Dupes of a vain and unsubstantial dream,— And none as true their burning words esteem. Canto 3. Of the Third Apparition. 389 The veil of darkness that the Godhead wore Is rent, and Jesus’ virtue hid no more Reveals Itself, all pain and sadness o’er: And He Who came the Temple’s veil to rend, And Heaven and earth, as Mediator, blend, Consoles His loved ones as a friend his- friend. 390 Of the Fourth Apparition. Book IV. BOOK IV. CANTO 4. OF THE FOURTH APPARITION. The wondrous tidings by the women brought, Embarrassed Simon’s soul, who, lost in thought, In vain the tangled skein’s unravelling sought. Christ ought to rise again :—how then discard These self-same tidings as to credence barred, Because to natural sense they seemed so hard ? Christ ought to rise again: Himself had said it; Yet the fulfilment seemed to baffle credit: Faith’s height so steep! What grace there needs to tread it! Besides, a sense of shame abashed the Saint: Had he not three days gone, with spirit faint, Drawn from His Lord that glance of meek complaint,— A glance that opened forth a sluice of tears, That ceased not flowing through successive years, Each morning as the cock-crow reached his ears , ? Canto 4. Of the Fourth Apparition. 391 Sure but for this, to him had been revealed That miracle supreme whereby is sealed Christ’s right o’er men the power of God to wield. The women gone, he gave in charge to John Their friends to assemble when the night came on : On his own soul no gleam of comfort shone; He wept for his denial : earthward bowed, Now silent, grieved,—now piteous, sobbed aloud;— Praying to God for light to pierce the cloud. “ In Thy drear Passion I increased Thy pain By my denial, and must Thou again Of my discouragement and doubt complain ?• “ Thy meek remonstrant look my baseness chid : Let not Thy pardoning grace for aye be hid, Master, forgive! I knew not what I did ! “ If my denial then, conceal from sight Thy risen Presence now, O, give me light, And chase away misgiving’s dreary night!’’ 392 Of the Fourth Apparition. Book IV. “ Simon ! ” “ Rabboni ! ” Only this is said ; Simon hath seen the Lord ! ” and thenceforth spread Faith thro’ the members from the Apostles’ head. The veil of darkness that the Godhead wore Is rent, and Jesus’ virtue, hid no more, Reveals Itself, all pain and sadness o’er. And He Who came the Temple’s veil to rend, And Heaven and earth, as Mediator, blend, Consoles His loved ones as a friend his friend. C';into 5. Of the Fifth Apparition. 393 BOOK IV. CANTO 5. OF THE FIFTH APPARITION. While Simon mourns disconsolate the Lord And visions which eye-witnesses record To his desponding- heart no peace afford : Two of the brethren (Cleophas was one) Set out for Ernmaus, westwards now the sun ;— And Emmatls, from that day’s events, has won A name above great cities. As they went, In anxious communing the time they spent, Perplexed with harassing bewilderment. Ere long a stranger in their track is seen : He overtakes them, and with voice serene Asks what the sadness in their looks might mean : He too had trouble known, and sympathized With grief: then answered Cleophas, surprised That He should come from Salem unadvised 394 Of the Fifth Apparition. Book IV. Of facts so widely bruited :—He displayed A wish to hear them. They this answer made :— “ Of Jesus, called the Nazarene: we paid “Homage to Him, as Saviour of our race;— Prophet in word and work ;—before the face Of God and Israel : but. O evil case, “Our priests and rulers, on His ruin bent, Though He had done no ill, with one consent, Charged Him with treacherous purpose and intent “ Against the rights of Caesar : they prevailed,— The while we fondly hoped to see Him hailed As Christ the King: now, all our hopes have failed “And hence our sadness; and yet, strange to say, Women we know, who, before dawn to-day, Went to His tomb : the Body was awav : “ Angels they saw and Angels’ voices heard : Some of our friends, astonished at their word, Put it to proof, and found as they averred,” Canto 5. Of the Fifth Apparition. 395 Then thus He answered: “Why so sad your tone? How so unwise ! How so dull-hearted grown The ancient prophecies fulfilled to own ? If careful hearing to those words you lend Ought not the Christ in pain His Life to end, And so to His predestined Throne ascend ? Then from the Books of Moses and the rest, Books as Divine by Israel’s sons confessed He made Messias’ life-course manifest. Arrived at last at Emmatis, the twain Importunate, their unknown friend constrain To break His journey and their guest remain. “Nay, go no further! Stay, our welcome guest! The sun is setting,— sinking in the West,— The day’s far spent; abide with us and rest." They unaware their own dear Lord invite:— He at their board sat down,—’twas early night,— Took bread—blessed—brake—and vanished from their sight, 396 Of the Fifth Apparition. Book IV. When in the pilgrim they the Lord discern, “ Did not,” they said, “ our hearts within us burn Those words of wisdom from His Lips to learn?” Unfinished their repast,—with eager haste (No time, with, tidings such as these, to waste) They to Jerusalem their steps retraced. In joy they find the brethren,—not as erst, When all concealed themselves through fear, nor durst Hear their own voices, fearful of the worst:— They learn what, after they had left, befell;— The brethren, full of joy, the tidings tell, “ Simon hath seen Christ risen ; all is well! ” The veil of darkness that the Godhead wore Is rent, and Jesus’ virtue, hid no more, Reveals Itself, all pain and sadness o’er. And He Who came the Temple’s veil to rend, And Heaven and earth, as Mediator, blend Consoles His loved ones as a friend his friend. Canto 6. Of the Sixth Apparition . 397 BOOK IV. CANTO 6. OF TIIE SIXTH APPARITION. Glad news the Brethren to each other tell;— Tidings that sadness from all hearts dispel,— “ Christ hath appeared to Simon, all is well ! ” The news that Christ had risen from the dead Lay not an idle rumour, fast it spread ; And where it brought not joy, awakened dread ;— Dread mixed with envy in the hearts of those Who, or deluding or deluded, chose To range themselves among our Master’s foes. And this gave trouble to the chosen Few Gathered in secret now from public view, In that large Upper Room, all so well knew, Where to complete His fore-ordained design, With transubstantiated Bread and Wine Christ His Elect had fed with food Divine. Of the Sixth Apparition. Book IV. 398 They to each other tell,—the doors made fast,— What with the women at the dawn had passed,— With Simon then,—at Emmaiis at the last. Lo! as they speak, they see their Master stand His wonted self amid His wonted band,— And greeting “Peace,’’ He blessed them with His Hand. Then, while they looked in fixed amaze, he said “ Be glad! 5 Tis I ! now risen from the dead! This is no phantom that should cause you dread;— “ This is no form of air to cause deceit; Think you a spirit could so counterfeit 'Phe solid Body, and your handling meet ? ’’ From their astonished souls all doubt to take,— Not for His need, but for their weakness’ sake He asks for food, as He His fast would break : With ready speed obedient to His wish, They do His bidding, and present a dish With honey-comb and fragments of a fish. Canto 6. Of the Sixth Apparition. 399 Thus set at ease without or doubt or fear, With joy they recognize their Master dear ; All trouble vanishes when Christ is near! And once again the faithful Ten He greets,— His gracious words of benison repeats,— And in these words their world-wide charge completes : “ As God My Father sent Me down to earth, So I send you to all within its girth, To give them endless life, by heavenly birth.” He breathed on them ; and by His Spirit’s grace, He gave them charge o’er all of human race, Filled they the highest or the lowest place. And thus He bade them meet the sinner’s need :— “ Whose sins you pardon shall from sin be freed,— Those ye retain, shall be retained indeed." The veil of darkness that the Godhead wore Is rent, and Jesus’ virtue, hid no more, Reveals Itself, all pain and sadness o’er. 400 0/ the Sixth Apparition. Book IV. And He Who came the Temples veil to rend, And Heaven and earth, as Mediator, blend, Consoles His loved ones as a friend his friend. Canto 7. Oj the Seventh Apparition. 401 BOOK IV. CANTO 7. OF THE. SEVENTH APPARITION. When first our Lord consoled the brethren bowed With painful grief; — when He dispelled the cloud That wrapped them like a dark funereal shroud, Not all were present:—Judas, sad disgrace! Transformed by greed from highest to most base, Had in the Apostles’ College lost his place : And Thomas too, had from the common roof Been absent, and incredulous of proof. Remained in moody solitude alool. In vain the Blessed Mother passed her word,— In vain the women their clear proofs averred, In vain the witness of the Ten he heard : “Your dreams,” he said, “by cool discretion weighed,— Your strange assertions, credulously made, Into thin air before calm reason fade; AA Of the Seventh Apparition . Book IV. 40 2 “ And in this judgment resolute I bide, Until I see His Hands and Feet and Side;— Until the issue by my touch be tried.” The circuit of the week comes round again, The Ten are met, and Thomas with the Ten,— More wise, as he presumed, than other men. The doors are fast! a well-known Voice is heard, (As o’er its fledgelings might some parent bird Announce its coming) : every heart is stirred :— “ Peace be to you! ’’ and then, “ Thy hand extend,” He saith to Thomas; “let all doubtings end; And to be higher raised, let reason bend.” “ My Lord ! My God ! ” he cried, and trembling stood, Abashed that through ungenerous doubt he could Grieve such a Master, so supremely good. And now Christ's solemn words faith's aureole weave, “ Thomas! by seeing thou dost faith conceive : Blessed are they who see not, yet believe ! ” Canto 7 . Of the Seventh Apparition . 403 The veil of darkness that the Godhead Is rent, and Jesus’ virtue, hid no more, Reveals Itself, all pain and sadness o’er. wore And He Who came the Temple’s veil to rend, And Heaven and earth, as Mediator, blend, Consoles His loved ones, as a friend his friend. 404 Of the Eighth Apparition. Book If. BOOK IV. CANTO 8. OF THE EIGHTH APPARITION. Mow doth the presence of the Power of God Raise things contemptible! The earthly clod, That void of life and under foot is trod, May be united with a human soul : And then that human nature form a whole With God the Son, Whose Person shall control The One Entire! Our God, to compass this, Inaugurates Love’s infinite abyss:— Emptieth Himself, that Peace and Truth may kiss. Again; the substances of Bread and Wine By Him are changed into a Thing Divine!— The earthly sign and heavenly counter-sign. So doth God elevate the sons of earth And raise their weakness by a heavenly birth, To rank and state of supernatural worth. Canto 8. Of the Eighth Apparition. 405 So Gabriel the child of Ann addressed, As full of grace, far high above the rest,—- Sweet Mary, ever-Maid, God’s Mother blest. And thou, Genesareth, hail! all seas above, Thou art a figure how the Mystic Dove Exalts the soul possessed of Jesus’ love. 'Twas on the margin of this favoured sea, Tiberias’ Lake, yclept of Galilee, Jesus first summoned to their high degree His chosen Twelve. Here He, for such as sought To learn God’s Truth, and docile spirits brought, To prove His word the draught of fishes wrought. On this same sea another sign He gave, When He made manifest His power to pave The liquid plain, and indurate the wave : Now He is risen again, upon its strand, Lo! seven of those who formed the Apostles’ band, Arrived in Galilee, assembled stand : — 406 Of the Eighth Apparition. Book iv. Simon and Thomas, and the intrepid pair Hight Boanerges and Nathanael, share The hope of seeing their dear Master there. They wait expectant : when the day was done, And still no sign of Him :—the setting sun,— The rippling waves,—the fishing hour begun,— All called to memory how, three years ago, They had been wont, what time the sun sank low, As fishers, on the lake their nets to throw. Simon declares his purpose, now once more To spread the fishers net, and ply the oar, And bid Genesareth yield them of its store. The rest agreed : they hired a fitting boat,— They launched it with united strength afloat, And well-timed strokes the moonlit waters smote. They quit the land : recedes the busy shore, And as the varied hum of men is o’er, They on their craft God’s benison implore. Canto 8. Of the Eighth Apparition. 407 They toiled as fishers should, but all that night In vain they laboured: and, the morning light, Frustrate, again they near the self-same site They yestreen quitted. There, upon the beach Stood Jesus, near enough for mutual speech, Scarce further distant than a stone might reach : There Jesus stood, yet no one of them thought Twas Jesus asked them, '‘Have ye taken aught?” They answered, “ No ! our night-long toils are nought.” To them our Lord: “On that side of the craft Which to the right hand lies of those abaft, Let down the net, and ye shall find a draught.” And as He promised, so He made it good ; They took so large a draught, do what they would They scarce could draw the net. Then understood John the Belov’d, that He Who spake the word Was his dear Master’s self, and so averred To Simon Peter; he no sooner heard 408 Of the Eighth Apparition. Book IV. His partner in the toil the fact assert, Than quick his fisher’s coat he round him girt, And cast him in the sea. The rest, alert, Two hundred cubits towards the sea-board steered, Drawing the net along, and as they neared The spot where Jesus stood, half hoped, half feared: They found live embers kindled on the shore, With fish thereon, and bread; to them once more The Stranger gave direction as of yore, And bade them land the draught. Therefore again o o Peter returned, and now, despite the strain, The meshes from a hundred fish sustain And fifty-three, he draws the net to land. Then Jesus saith to them as round they stand, “ Come ye and dine.” Obey they out of hand And do His bidding : but they still forego To ask Him Who He is:—indeed, they know: Then doth He come more near to them; and lo ! Canto 8. Of the Eighth Apparition. 409 He shares the loaf of bread, and bids them take : He gives them of the fish: their fast they break; —• And thus the Lord to Simon Peter spake : “ Simon of John ! dost love Me more than they ? ” And Simon straight made answer : “ Yea, Lord, yea ! Thou know’st I love Thee;’’—then doth Jesus say With loving care, “ See that My lambs thou feed ! ” And thus again : “Simon of John! indeed Dost love Me?” And he answered, “Lord, what need “ Of words ? Thou knowest well my love for Thee.” “O’er then my lambs,” said Jesus, “shepherd be.” “Simon of John!” the third time, “ lov’st thou Me?” And Simon’s heart with grief was sorely tasked, Thus for the third time by his Master asked, Whether he loved Him : never had been masked His ardent love but once, when panic-stung He thrice denied, the rabble rout among; But even then his heart belied his tongue. 4io Of the Eighth Apparition. Rook IV. Grief-stricken now, he, who had thrice denied, For the third time, “ All things Thou knowest,” cried, “ Thou knowest, Lord, I love Thee." Then replied To him our gracious Master: “Feed My Sheep!" Words of significance, far-reaching, deep,— Wherewith He charged him His whole flock to keep E’en to the end of time. Twas now the hour To ground His Church like Sion’s rock-based tower, And clothe His Vicar with His sovereign Power: And as the question thrice-repeated told Of that sad parting-feast, when, overbold, Simon had boasted nought could loose his hold On loyalty to Jesus, humbler grown And self-mistrustful, he was fain to own, Who leans on his own strength, is quick o’erthrown. His Master comforts him, and minds him how When young he went where’er he would, but now He must prepare to others’ will to bow,— Canto 8. Of the Eighth Apparition. 4 i 1 The strength of manhood passed, old age shall numb His stalwart vigour, and himself shall come By others led to painful martyrdom. Then, as He wished to Peter’s self alone,— The rock sustaining each foundation stone,— The things that touched His future Church make known, He bade him follow Him : Now John was there Whom Jesus loved; and Peter showed his care On John’s behalf, and asked how he should fare. Then Jesus answered: “What if I decree That he shall tarry and My Advent see ? Thee it concerns not : do thou follow Me ! ” So then as Jesus on the Cross had died, Peter shall die, head downwards crucified, John, to the end, martyr of love, abide. The veil of darkness that the Godhead wore Is rent, and Jesus’ virtue, hid no more, Reveals Itself, all pain and sadness o’er. 412 Of the Eighth Apparition. Book IV. And He Who came the Temple’s veil to rend, And Heaven and earth, as Mediator, blend, Consoles His loved ones as a friend his friend. Canto g. Of the Ninth Apparition. 413 BOOK IV. CANTO 9. OF THE NINTH APPARITION. When as our Lord’s earth-sojourn neared its close, ’Twas time to clothe with their high functions those Whom for His Kingdom’s hierarchs He chose : o / He had a Pastor on His Church bestowed, To guide His sheep along the narrow road ; Unerring guardian of His Gospel code:— He had consigned to Simon all His Hock, And named him Cephas, as the sturdy Rock, Proof to resist Hell’s fiercest, rudest shock. Tho’ Satan’s frantic rage might ply the Hail, Christ’s prayer for Peter’s faith shall never fail ; Christ should in Peter to the end prevail. “ Cephas shalt thou be called, — shalt Cephas be ; Lo ! in thy person men shall honour Me, — On earth My Vicar by Divine decree.” 4(4 Of the Ninth Apparition. Rook IV. Alike to all He gives their charge ;—too hard For men without God’s aid : they must regard The world,—God’s world by Satan’s envy marred,— Field of their labours : here they must begin A truceless warfare ’gainst the powers of sin, And souls thro’ penance to God’s mercy win. And in these words did Jesus charge the Eleven : “ All power is given to Me on earth,—in Heaven ;— I send you forth corruption’s mass to leaven ; “ As I teach you, go teach all men the same : Mankind to God, baptized in the Name Of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, reclaim. “All you have learned from Me, to others teach;— I will be with you, heart and hand and speech, Long as the durance of the world shall reach.” The veil of darkness that the Godhead wore Is rent, and Jesus’ virtue, hid no more, Reveals Itself, all pain and sadness o’er. Canto 9 . Of the Ninth Apparition. 4 i 5 And He Who came the Temple’s veil to rend, And Heaven and earth, as Mediator, blend, Consoles His loved ones as a friend his friend. Of the Tenth Apparition. Book iv. 416 BOOK IV. CANTO 10. OF THE TENTH APPARITION. At first, when Jesus rose, on only one Shone the bright vision of the risen Sun, But by a single witness scant were done : Therefore that men might in the truth confide, Twas fit that evidence by numbers tried, Should prove Him risen Who was crucified. Ere yet the first bright Easter Day was spent, Ten of the Brethren, with their hearts intent On one absorbing thought, their footsteps bent For mutual counsel to that upper room Where Mass was offered first,—the destined womb Whence light should spring to scatter sin's dark gloom. That night the Apostles’ College numbered Ten, And on the octave-day thereafter, when The same with fastened doors were met again, Canto io. Of the Tenth Apparition. 417 Thomas was present too, whose unbelief (But that Christ’s goodness melted him to grief) Had wrought him shipwreck on doubt’s fatal reef. At last one hundred brethren, five times told, The presence of the risen Christ behold, And bold in faith themselves, make others bold ! Paul tells of these five hundred ; some, before Had passed away, but the surviving more To Jesus’ triumph, living witness bore. Enough the proof for willing, honest hearts ; God to good-will the grace of faith imparts, But niggard doubt resists God’s loving arts. The veil of darkness that the Godhead wore Is rent, and Jesus’ virtue, hid no more Reveals Itself, all pain and sadness o’er. And He Who came the Temple’s veil to rend, And Heaven and earth, as Mediator, blend, Consoles His loved ones as a friend his friend. BB Of the Eleventh Apparition. Book IV. 418 BOOK IV. CANTO n. OF THE ELEVENTH APPARITION. God’s Holy Spirit, as It listeth, blows ; God shares His favours as He will : who knows Why He the Younger James by preference chose To be the only one among the Ten, Witness apart, to see Christ risen again. As He chose Peter and the Magdalene ? Was it because the Younger James shall share Hirst in the Chief Apostle’s worlcl-wide care,— Too vast a charge for one man’s strength to bear? For Peter’s charge, to no one spot confined, (Both lambs and sheep to him, as chief, consigned) Embraced in its wide circuit all mankind. Henceforth, both sheep and lambs, thro’ him made one, The heavenward path in grace and truth begun, Their trial-course on earth unerring run. Canto ii. Of the Eleventh Apparition . 419 James was invested by Divine decree, With charge of Salem’s Patriarchal See, Subject alone to Peter’s Chair and Key :— And for the honour of that pristine Chair, ’Twas his in Peter’s privilege to share — Christ risen to see, no other witness there. The veil of darkness that the Godhead wore Is rent, and Jesus’ virtue, hid no more, Reveals Itself, all pain -and sadness o’er : And He Who came the Temple’s veil to rend And Heaven and earth, as Mediator, blend, Consoles His loved ones as a friend his friend. 420 Of the Twelfth Apparition. Book IV. BOOK IV. CANTO 12. OF THE TWELFTH APPARITION. Pleasure or honour, or the busy mart Engaged the men of Jewry:—while apart, One of their number, dear to Jesus’ Heart. With no man present else, received the grace To gaze upon his risen Master’s Face,— Answer His greeting and His Feet embrace. Erewhile, when all the Apostles shrank afraid, Joseph had Pilate fearlessly essayed, And supplication for Christ’s Body made : Then in his own new Tomb, with reverence meet Had laid, on aloes, myrrh and spices sweet, That Sacred Body in Its Winding Sheet. As women and Apostles witness bare To Jesus risen, so did God’s good care A layman choose their privilege to share. Canto is. Of the Twelfth Apparition. 421 Then Joseph learned that he had wisely done When he confessed in Jesus, God’s own Son : And wondered he had ever sought to shun The open, bold, profession of belief In Him Who, o’er the Angels Lord and Chief, Was clothed in flesh to remedy man’s grief. When we, as Joseph, see Him face to face, We shall in God our bygone history trace, And blush for our remissness in the race. Strange shall we feel it then that coward shame Had made it hard to glory in His Name, — The One from aye,—and now, — and aye, the Same! Earth and earth’s joys and sorrows come and go, All things are brief and changeful, here below ; — ’Tis hard to think so now: then, we shall know. The veil of darkness that the Godhead wore Is rent, and Jesus’ virtue hid no more Reveals Itself, all pain and sadness o’er: 422 Of the Twelfth Apparition. Book IV. And He Who came the Temple’s veil to rend, And Heaven and earth, as Mediator, blend, Consoles His loved ones as a friend his friend. Canto 13. Of the Thirteenth Apparition. 423 BOOK IV. CANTO 13. OF THE THIRTEENTH APPARITION. Saul stands, consenting to Saint Stephen’s death,— The Proto-martyr, who with his last breath, Enrapt, Christ’s Resurrection witnesseth,— “ Lo ! to my sight, the Court of Heaven displayed Reveals the Son of Man, by men betrayed, On God’s right Hand, all powerful to aid!” As erst the adder with its venomed tooth Bit the hard file, so Saul’s hot-tempered youth Assailed the followers of the Gospel truth. Wild as a ravening wolf at break of day He chased the Brethren of the hated way, Worried the sheep-fold and devoured the prey. His goal, Damascus : for the good seed cast \ - By Evangelic labourers, had at last The narrow bounds of Palestine o’erpassed, 424 Of the Thirteenth Apparition. Book IV. Invading Syria : and Saul proudly thought The crowd of Galileans that he brought Captive in chains, would prove how he had sought The Law of Moses to avenge right well,— And little dreamed himself ere long would swell The band whereon he now so wildly fell. Yet so it fared! Damascus was in sight, When from the heavens, than mid-day sun more bright, There flashed upon the troop a blaze of light : The dazzling stream and voice from Heaven confound The retinue that compassed Saul around, And Saul himself falls prostrate on the ground. He saw the Lord : the Lord’s remonstrant word, “ Why dost thou persecute Me, Saul ? ” he heard, And (his whole soul with deep emotion stirred) All humbly he replied : “ Who, Lord, art Thou ? ” He answered : “ I am Jesus, Whom till now Thou hast unkindly treated : thou shalt bow Canto 13, Of the Thirteenth Apparition. 425 “And do My Will.” Then, lowly, Saul adored, And earnestly to know that Will implored : “Tell me what Thou wouldst have me do, O Lord!” “A miracle shall prove thee, Saul, designed To work My Glory : Lo ! thou’rt stricken blind : Go to Damascus, and thou there shalt find “ One Ananias. He, on the fourth morn Shall give thee sight: by thee, once taught to scorn, Through the wide world My witness shall be borne.” How changed the leader of that zealot band ! Led now on foot, submissive to the hand, Behold him childlike for instruction stand, A humble learner of the new-found lore He had despised through ignorance before ;— Paul, Christ’s Apostle now ;—His foe no more. The veil of darkness that the Godhead wore Is rent, and Jesus’ virtue, hid no more, Reveals Itself, all pain and sadness o’er. 426 Of the Thirteenth Apparition. Book IV. And He Who came the Temple’s veil to rend, And Heaven and earth, as Mediator, blend, Consoles His loved ones as a friend his friend. Canto 14. Of the Ascension of Christ our Lord. 427 BOOK IV. CANTO 14. OF THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST OUR LORD. It was the fortieth day, and at the board The Eleven sat at meat : to them our Lord Made Himself manifest. While He deplored The want of faith in certain, who preferred Their self-formed preconceptions, and demurred To proofs by faithful witnesses averred, He cleared their doubts away: and now, in turn, When they with self-consuming zeal shall burn, Their witness too ungracious souls will spurn. ♦ He their high charge to His Apostles gave, — To preach His Name,—the Risen from the grave; — And nerved their hearts the powers of Hell to brave. “ Go, bear,” He said, “ My Name throughout the world! Go, with the Standard of the Cross unfurled ; And from his seat let Lucifer be hurled ! 428 Of the Ascension of Christ our Lord. Book IV,. Unfaith, the faithless shall of hope bereave, But they who hear your message and believe, Shall, for reward, eternal life receive ;— “ Works of great wonder shall their footsteps press; They shall their hearers in strange tongues address; And chase the demons that men’s souls possess. “No plague, when they are nigh, shall cause alarm, The death-drugged cup to them shall work no harm, Their touch the serpent, poison-barbed, shall charm. “ All now, by God’s wise providence, hath sped As in the Sacred Books hath aye been read ;— As Moses, David, and the Prophets said. “ Now are the words of Holy Writ made plain,— Thus it behoved the Christ to suffer pain, Thus it behoved the Christ to rise again. “Ye know My teaching, go, and preach the same: From Salem, through all lands and tongues, proclaim Penance and absolution thro’ My Name, Canto 14. Of the Ascension of Christ our Lord. 429 “ I give you charge and right My truth to teach; Should error or ill-will this right impeach, God shall Himself with power confirm your speech. “My Father’s promise now no longer stayed,— Ye, by the Holy Ghost, God’s captains made, Shall lead My hosts in Truth’s Divine crusade.” He then the band of His disciples led, — (They formed His train, He moving at their head) — Forth to Bethania, where, to board and bed, While still a servant’s humble form He bore, Kind friends had welcomed Him so oft before, — Now ready to the Heavenly Court to soar. One fond farewell :—His Mother saw Him rise— She and His brethren, with strained, longing eyes Follow His track, ascending to the skies. \ The veil of darkness that the Godhead wore Is rent, and now,—Its virtue, hid no more, Christ is ascended : pain and death are o’er. 430 The Love of God. Book IV. BOOK IV. CANTO 15. THE LOVE OF GOD. Our God is Charity : would men but weigh And ponder well this truth, ’twould be their stay, Their guiding star through life, till life’s last day. Mark well, O Man, the blessings that from birth God hath conferred upon thee : count their worth,— They would the world encompass in their girth ! Say, hast thou ever in the noontide hour Inhaled the freshness of the leafy bower? Scented the perfume of a fragrant flower ? Does wholesome food thy frame in strength sustain ? Art free from hunger, thirst, disease and pain ? Dost reap the meed of toil in honest gain ? Does music or does song thine ear delight ? Do sacred fanes in their ethereal height,— Does painting or does sculpture charm thy sight ? Canto 15. The Love of God . 43 1 Dost thou attentive, Nature’s course pursue ? Do earth and sea and sky entrance thy view ? Sunrise and sunset, with their changeful hue ? Whate’er the boon,—for body, mind, or heart,— Science or pleasure, literature or art, ’Tis God’s dear Love doth every gift impart ! E’en if thy life become acquaint with pain, Thou wilt not God’s Beneficence arraign, For suffering is by patience turned to gain. Pains here, pains due to bygone sins, atone;— Pains here, pains due to venial faults, condone;— Pains borne with Christ, sublimest virtue own. And if there are whose life may seem a wreck, Shattered with grief:—yet, life is but a speck,— The outset of a line, which, free from check, By death unhindered, shall outrun time’s lease, And it shall prove that sorrows, when they cease, Future rewards a thousand-fold increase. 432 The Love of God. Book iv. So weal and woe are, equally, God’s gift,— Blessings intended, through their owners’ thrift To beatific joys men’s souls to lift. Use then God’s various gifts with care discreet, And let thy thankfulness, like incense sweet, Rise in a cloud of fragrance to His Feet. “ Take all my freedom, Lord ! If I bear ill The sacrifice of all, yet, take it still, My memory, my intellect, my wdiole will: “ Thou gavest all, and all I have is Thine;— I all to Thee,—to all Thy Will resign : Give me Thy Love and Grace, and all is mine.” See next how God, our Lord, in wondrous w^ays, Knows how the value of His gifts to raise Above all creatures’ gifts in u r orth and praise. When friend with friend a parting pledge hath left, Donor and gift, like severed warp and w’eft, Thenceforth by distance are of union reft;— The Love of God . Canto 15 4 1 1 JO Not so with God : — His ever-present care All things pervades, — fire, ocean, earth and air ;— And ’tis His Presence gives the form they wear. E’en lifeless things His Presence never leaves : His Presence for each one its nature weaves, Each one its character from Him receives. His Presence in the plant a life bestows Whereby to stalwart oak the acorn grows, And fairest colours blossom in the rose : His Presence in the cattle, barred of speech, Imparts sensation, giving power to each The outward properties of things to reach. His Presence in the sons of men hath wroughl An Image of Himself with speech and thought, And so to know his Maker, man is brought. Then by a special Presence, fruit of Grace, God in those favoured souls that seek His Face, V His supernatural likeness loves to trace. cc 434 The Love of God. Book IV. For, then, the blessings which thy pathway strew From morning grey to evening’s darkling blue, Give thanks to God with loyal heart and true. “Take all my freedom, Lord! if I bear ill The sacrifice of all, yet, take it still, My memory, my intellect, my whole will : “ Thou gavest all, and all I have is Thine ; — I all to Thee,—to all Thy Will resign : Give me Thy Love and Grace, and all is mine.” Nor in FI is gifts doth God inactive dwell, In His Concurrence lies the secret spell Wherewith we good pursue, or evil quell. E’en as the labouring man from morn till eve Works, and his toils his household’s wants relieve, God works in all the gifts that men receive : Food gives us strength our daily task to meet; The fount refreshes us in summer’s heat;— ’Tis God sustains us when we drink or eat. Canto 15. The Love of God. 435 The dazzling sun illumes us through the day;— The moon at night forbids our feet to stray;—- Both, serving man, God’s agency obey ! The father trains his child, by filial fear,— The mother spends herself, her babe to rear;— God is our Father and our Mother dear ! And so, in all by creatures planned and done, ’Tis God’s Concurrence aids the act begun, And were It wanting, action there were none. Therefore, again, confess Him Good and Wise In all the causes and effects you prize, And praise Him for the help His Love supplies. “ Take all my freedom, Lord ! If I bear ill The sacrifice of all, yet, take it still, My memory, my intellect, my whole will : “Thou gavest all, and all I have is Thine; — I all to Thee, to all Thy Will resign : Give me Thy Love and Grace, and all is mine.” The Love of God. Hook IV. 43 6 So Gocl each gift on thee, O man, bestows, — Each gift its goodness to His Presence owes, — The good each does from His Concurrence flows;— He cares for thee as for an only son, As though, for thy sake only, all were done, — Now let thy glance o’er all creation run : What hath been said of thee is true of all ;— Of all God’s creatures, be they great or small,— Of matter formed or free from matter’s thrall. ’Tis He provides for all, e’en as for thee,— Without His Presence none of them could be,— None energise in whatsoe’er degree. Be then His Mercy aye His Creatures’ theme;— •From Him, as from the Fountain-head supreme, Blessings flow down on all in ceaseless stream. He is the Fountain whence all streams arise:— The Sun, that giveth light to countless eyes :— Prime Source of all that’s strong and good and wise. Canto 15. The Love of God. 437 Therefore once more, in rapturous delight, Raise thy glad voice and glorify His Might, His tender Love, His Wisdom’s boundless height. “ Take all my freedom, Lord ! If I bear ill The sacrifice of all, yet, take it still,. My memory, my intellect, my whole will : “ Thou gavest all, and all I have is Thine;— I all to Thee, to all Thy Will resign : Give me Thy Love and Grace, and all is mine.” m* j®. - » C h r :i. s t ley A1 b a ri y J a m e a y 1 -IB 9:1. ♦ The end of man i Bapst Library Boston College Chestnut Hill, Mass. 02167