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ON A DENARIUS OF TIBERIUS CÆSAR,
THE SILVER ‘PENNY’ OF THE GOSPELS.
The Roman “penny” in my hand to-day,Stamped with the same imperial “image” stern
And superscription that I here discern,
Once in the open palm of Jesus lay.
I gaze—and centuries, dream-like, fade away;
The years of that mysterious life return;
I see the down-turned Face for which saints yearn,
Which dimly floats above them when they pray.
But lo! the silver in that gracious palm,
Even while I ponder, takes a darker hue;
That Face is marr'd, though still divinely calm,
That outstretched hand, iron has pierced it through;
Not silver now, or gold, but Gilead's balm
Of “precious blood” meets my adoring view!
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