W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895.
The Tears of Peter
Thomas Toke Lynch (18181871)W
The cock hath crowed for coming dawn,
Twice hath he crowed, the night hath past;
With new day let new hope be born.
Like Moses’ rod with double stroke,
A voice smote Simon in his shame;
Christ looked,—the strong man’s heart was broke.
As bitter as his words are base,
As urgent as the sudden fears
Which even love refused to face.
O, love so eager yet so weak,
In these sad waters born anew
Thy tongue shall yet in triumph speak.
Dies with the night that wrought his shame;
Thou livest, and these tears baptise—
Simon, now Peter is thy name.
Christ places thee this awful day;
Him waves assault with direful shock,
And cover thee with maddening spray.
Eternal Love all love will keep:
The sweet shall as the bitter be;
Thou shalt rejoice as thou dost weep.