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

Were Not the Sinful Mary’s Tears

Thomas Moore (1779–1852)

WERE not the sinful Mary’s tears

An offering worthy Heaven,

When o’er the faults of former years

She wept—and was forgiven?

When bringing every balmy sweet

Her day of luxury stored,

She o’er her Saviour’s hallowed feet

The precious perfume pour’d;

And wiped them with that golden hair

Where once the diamonds shone:

Though now those gems of grief were there

Which shine for God alone.

Were not those sweets, though humbly shed—

That hair—those weeping eyes—

And the sunk heart that inly bled—

Heaven’s noblest sacrifice?

Thou that hast slept in error’s sleep,

Oh, wouldst thou wake in heaven,

Like Mary kneel, like Mary weep,

‘Love much,’ and be forgiven?