94
SONNETS.
Have missed Jehovah at the judgment-call!
And Peter, from the height of blasphemy—
"I never knew this man"—did quail and fall,
As knowing straight that God,—and turned free,
And went out speechless from the face of all,
And filled the silence, weeping bitterly.
And Peter, from the height of blasphemy—
"I never knew this man"—did quail and fall,
As knowing straight that God,—and turned free,
And went out speechless from the face of all,
And filled the silence, weeping bitterly.
THE MEANING OF THE LOOK.
I think that look of Christ might seem to say—
"Thou Peter! art thou then a common stone
Which I at last must break my heart upon,
For all God's charge, to His high angels, may
Guard my foot better? Did I yesterday
Wash thy feet, my beloved, that they should run
Quick to deny me 'neath the morning-sun,—
And do thy kisses, like the rest, betray?—
The cock crows coldly.—Go, and manifest
A late contrition, but no bootless fear!
For when thy deathly need is bitterest,
Thou shalt not be denied, as I am here—
My voice, to God and angels, shall attest,—
Because I know this man, let him he clear."
"Thou Peter! art thou then a common stone
Which I at last must break my heart upon,
For all God's charge, to His high angels, may
Guard my foot better? Did I yesterday
Wash thy feet, my beloved, that they should run
Quick to deny me 'neath the morning-sun,—
And do thy kisses, like the rest, betray?—
The cock crows coldly.—Go, and manifest
A late contrition, but no bootless fear!
For when thy deathly need is bitterest,
Thou shalt not be denied, as I am here—
My voice, to God and angels, shall attest,—
Because I know this man, let him he clear."
A THOUGHT FOR A LONELY DEATH-BED.[1]
If God compel thee to this destiny,
To die alone,—with none beside thy bed
To ruffle round with sobs thy last word said,
And mark with tears the pulses ebb from thee,—
Then pray alone—"O Christ, come tenderly!
By Thy forsaken Sonship,—and the red
To die alone,—with none beside thy bed
To ruffle round with sobs thy last word said,
And mark with tears the pulses ebb from thee,—
Then pray alone—"O Christ, come tenderly!
By Thy forsaken Sonship,—and the red
- ↑ Written at the request of my friend Miss Cockell, to whom it is inscribed.
