Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922.

Judas Iscariot

Robert Buchanan (1841–1901)

’TWAS the soul of Judas Iscariot,

Strange, and sad, and tall,

Stood all alone at dead of night

Before a lighted hall.

And the wold was white with snow,

And his foot-marks black and damp,

And the ghost of the silvern Moon arose,

Holding her yellow lamp.

And the icicles were on the eaves,

And the walls were deep with white,

And the shadows of the guests within

Pass’d on the window light.

The shadows of the wedding guests

Did strangely come and go,

And the body of Judas Iscariot

Lay stretch’d along the snow.

The body of Judas Iscariot

Lay stretched along the snow;

’Twas the soul of Judas Iscariot

Ran swiftly to and fro.

To and fro, and up and down,

He ran so swiftly there,

As round and round the frozen Pole

Glideth the lean white bear.

… ’Twas the Bridegroom sat at the table-head,

And the lights burnt bright and clear—

‘Oh, who is that,’ the Bridegroom said,

‘Whose weary feet I hear?’

’Twas one looked from the lighted hall,

And answer’d soft and slow,

‘It is a wolf runs up and down

With a black track in the snow.’

The Bridegroom in his robe of white

Sat at the table-head—

‘Oh, who is that who moans without?’

The blessèd Bridegroom said.

’Twas one look’d from the lighted hall,

And answer’d fierce and low,

‘’Tis the soul of Judas Iscariot

Gliding to and fro.’

’Twas the soul of Judas Iscariot

Did hush itself and stand,

And saw the Bridegroom at the door

With a light in his hand.

The Bridegroom stood in the open door,

And he was clad in white,

And far within the Lord’s Supper

Was spread so broad and bright.

The Bridegroom shaded his eyes and look’d,

And his face was bright to see—

‘What dost thou here at the Lord’s Supper

With thy body’s sins?’ said he.

’Twas the soul of Judas Iscariot

Stood black, and sad, and bare—

‘I have wander’d many nights and days;

There is no light elsewhere.’

’Twas the wedding guests cried out within,

And their eyes were fierce and bright—

‘Scourge the soul of Judas Iscariot

Away into the night!’

The Bridegroom stood in the open door,

And he waved hands still and slow,

And the third time that he waved his hands

The air was thick with snow.

And of every flake of falling snow,

Before it touch’d the ground,

There came a dove, and a thousand doves

Made sweet sound.

’Twas the body of Judas Iscariot

Floated away full fleet,

And the wings of the doves that bare it off

Were like its winding-sheet.

’Twas the Bridegroom stood at the open door,

And beckon’d, smiling sweet;

’Twas the soul of Judas Iscariot

Stole in, and fell at his feet.

‘The Holy Supper is spread within,

And the many candles shine,

And I have waited long for thee

Before I pour’d the wine!’

The supper wine is pour’d at last,

The lights burn bright and fair,

Iscariot washes the Bridegroom’s feet,

And dries them with his hair.