 | The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere |  |
290
MAUNDY THURSDAY.
THE WASHING OF THE FEET.
Once more the Temple-Gates lie open wide:
Onward, once more
Advance the Faithful, mounting like a tide
That climbs the shore.
Onward, once more
Advance the Faithful, mounting like a tide
That climbs the shore.
Naked as tombs the Altars stand to-day:
The shrines are bare:
Christ of His raiment was despoiled; and they
His livery wear.
The shrines are bare:
Christ of His raiment was despoiled; and they
His livery wear.
This day the mighty and the proud have heard
His ‘Mandate New;’
That which He did, their Master, and their Lord
This day they do.
His ‘Mandate New;’
That which He did, their Master, and their Lord
This day they do.
This day the mitred foreheads, and the crowned
In meekness bend:
New tasks this day the sceptred hands have found:
The Poor they tend.
In meekness bend:
New tasks this day the sceptred hands have found:
The Poor they tend.
To-day those feet which tread in lowliest ways
Yet follow Christ
Are by the secular lords of power and praise
Both washed and kissed.
Yet follow Christ
Are by the secular lords of power and praise
Both washed and kissed.
Hail Ordinance sage of hoar antiquity
Which she retains
That Church who teaches man how meek should be
The head that reigns.
Which she retains
That Church who teaches man how meek should be
The head that reigns.
| The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere | |