University of Virginia Library


118

IN PRISON

From first to last I knew I must decrease:
This in the Wilderness hath been my peace.
Now in my cell He hath deserted me ...
I wonder, is He Christ—can it be He?
I have sent messengers to ask Him plain
Is He the Christ? Before they come again
I see Him on the road ... I am sufficed!
He is the Lamb of God, He is the Christ.
I pointed others to Him and they went;
I was deserted, yet in heart content:
Now He deserts me, as His pleasure is—
His pleasure, stricter than His promises.
So bold I spoke to sinners of the axe,
Who am just now a bit of smoking flax—
He would but quench me if I saw Him nigh
... Far off let Him abide, and I will die!