W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895.

The Kiss of Judas

Robert Stephen Hawker (1803–1875)

HAIL! Master mine! so did the viper hiss,

When, with false fang and stealthy crawl, he came

And scorched Messiah’s cheek with that vile kiss

He deemed would sojourn there—a brand of shame.

Ah, no! not long! for soon, and face to face

With his world-shouldering Cross Lord Jesu stood.

All hail! He said; and, with a proud embrace,

Fasten’d the traitor’s kiss to that forgiving wood!