 | Airs of Palestine, and other poems |  |
[VI. Had Jesus left his scattered fold]
“For my flesh is meat indeed.”
—John vi. 55.
—John vi. 55.
Had Jesus left his scattered fold
The legacy of pride,
Golconda's gems and Ophir's gold,
When he, their Shepherd, died;
The legacy of pride,
Golconda's gems and Ophir's gold,
When he, their Shepherd, died;
Few would have hoarded many a gem,
Of those who shared them first;
And O, how many, even of them,
Had, in that gift, been cursed!
Of those who shared them first;
And O, how many, even of them,
Had, in that gift, been cursed!
Had such a legacy been cast
Upon the stream of time;
Would it have come through ages past,—
Ages of night and crime?
Upon the stream of time;
Would it have come through ages past,—
Ages of night and crime?
109
And had it reached us all, should we
In such a boon be blessed?
O no;—a part might misers be,
And prodigals the rest.
In such a boon be blessed?
O no;—a part might misers be,
And prodigals the rest.
But all may now a treasure hoard,
That ne'er engenders strife;
For we may all, around this board,
Partake the bread of life.
That ne'er engenders strife;
For we may all, around this board,
Partake the bread of life.
| Airs of Palestine, and other poems | |