W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895.
Dorcas
George MacDonald (18241905)I
Amid the gathered folk,
This gentle Dorcas one day stood,
And heard what Jesus spoke.
Half envious for his sake:
“Oh, happy hands,” she said, “that wrought
That honoured thing to make!”
She never can come nigh
To work one service poor for him
For whom she glad would die!
She hearkens now indeed!
“When did we see thee naked, Lord,
And clothed thee in thy need?
As to my brothers ye
Did it—even to the least of such—
Ye did it unto me.”
And Jesus’ poor arrayed
She died—they wept about the room,
And showed the coats she made.