Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882). Complete Poetical Works. 1893.

Christus: A Mystery

Part I. The Divine Tragedy. The Third Passover. III. Lord, is it I?

ONE of you shall betray me.

Is it I?

Lord, is it I?

One of the Twelve it is

That dippeth with me in this dish his hand;

He shall betray me. Lo, the Son of Man

Goeth indeed as it is written of Him;

But woe shall be unto that man by whom

He is betrayed! Good were it for that man

If he had ne’er been born!

Lord, is it I?

Ay, thou hast said. And that thou doest, do quickly.

Ah, woe is me!

All ye shall be offended

Because of me this night; for it is written:

Awake, O sword against my shepherd! Smite

The shepherd, saith the Lord of hosts, and scattered

Shall be the sheep!—But after I am risen

I go before you into Galilee.

O Master! though all men shall be offended

Because of thee, yet will not I be!

Simon,

Behold how Satan hath desired to have you,

That he may sift you as one sifteth wheat!

Whither I go thou canst not follow me—

Not now; but thou shalt follow me hereafter.

Wherefore can I not follow thee? I am ready

To go with thee to prison and to death.

Verily say I unto thee, this night,

Ere the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice!

Though I should die, yet will I not deny thee.

When first I sent you forth without a purse,

Or scrip, or shoes, did ye lack anything?

Not anything.

But he that hath a purse,

Now let him take it, and likewise his scrip;

And he that hath no sword, let him go sell

His clothes and buy one. That which hath been written

Must be accomplished now: He hath poured out

His soul even unto death; he hath been numbered

With the transgressors, and himself hath borne

The sin of many, and made intercession

For the transgressors. And here have an end

The things concerning me.

Behold, O Lord,

Behold, here are two swords!

It is enough.