 | Lazarus And other Poems |  |
'Twas done, and in the newness of that life
Some few days glided by. We lived alone,
In silent thought retracing all the past;
And then we met once more. At eventide,
When the Jews' Sabbath drew towards its close
(So heard we from our teachers, for no word
Bade us to keep that Sabbath), all the West
Yet purple, we, the new disciples, met
That pale, worn teacher in the upper room,
His home for those few days. A simple meal
Was set before us, cakes of bread, and wine,
Such as our peasants drink. That bread he blest,
Over that cup gave thanks, and we partook,
(The new-born sense of kindred breaking down
All barriers of the past) the rich, the poor,
The slave, the freeman, foes of many years,
Husbands and wives, the fathers, and the sons,
We all drew near, as sharers in a life
Above our own, and so embracing all.
Oh, happiest hour, of memories full of peace,
And love ineffable, and brightest hopes,
Which even yet can gladden!
Some few days glided by. We lived alone,
In silent thought retracing all the past;
And then we met once more. At eventide,
When the Jews' Sabbath drew towards its close
(So heard we from our teachers, for no word
Bade us to keep that Sabbath), all the West
Yet purple, we, the new disciples, met
That pale, worn teacher in the upper room,
His home for those few days. A simple meal
Was set before us, cakes of bread, and wine,
Such as our peasants drink. That bread he blest,
Over that cup gave thanks, and we partook,
(The new-born sense of kindred breaking down
All barriers of the past) the rich, the poor,
The slave, the freeman, foes of many years,
63
We all drew near, as sharers in a life
Above our own, and so embracing all.
Oh, happiest hour, of memories full of peace,
And love ineffable, and brightest hopes,
Which even yet can gladden!
| Lazarus And other Poems | |