 | Songs of Doubt and Dream (Poems) |  |
[XII. They led the pale Christ through the mouthing throng]
They led the pale Christ through the mouthing throng,
In Orient days far-fled;
For then too often, as now, right cringed to wrong,
And many had spoken and said:
“Not this man, but Barabbas.”
In Orient days far-fled;
For then too often, as now, right cringed to wrong,
And many had spoken and said:
“Not this man, but Barabbas.”
He was a thief, the pardoned one, 'tis writ:
Did worse crime stain him red?
Nay, thief or murderer—what mattered it?
For many had spoken and said:
“Not this man, but Barabbas.”
Did worse crime stain him red?
Nay, thief or murderer—what mattered it?
For many had spoken and said:
“Not this man, but Barabbas.”
And so he walked unprisoned through the town;
And on the stern cross bled
The brow of Christ below the galling crown,
For many had spoken and said:
“Not this man, but Barabbas.”
And on the stern cross bled
The brow of Christ below the galling crown,
For many had spoken and said:
“Not this man, but Barabbas.”
237
The world, forsooth, has learned its lesson well
Since that dark hour and dread!
Full often accursed by the same bitter spell,
Its lips have opened and said:
“Not this man, but Barabbas.”
Since that dark hour and dread!
Full often accursed by the same bitter spell,
Its lips have opened and said:
“Not this man, but Barabbas.”
| Songs of Doubt and Dream (Poems) | |