W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895.
With a Prayer
Alexander Smith (1830–1867)W
For him who pierced His body with the spear,
For him who tore His temples with the thorns,
For him who mocked His thirst with vinegar,
The Lord Christ bleeding bowed His head and died
And by that dying did He wash earth white
From murders, battles, lies, ill deeds, and took
Remorse away that feeds upon the heart
Like slow fire on a brand. From grave he burst;
Death could not hold Him, and ere many days
Before the eyes of those that did Him love
He passed up through yon ocean of blue air
Unto the heaven of heavens, whence He came.
And there He sits this moment man and God;
Strong as a God, flesh-hearted as a man,
And all the uncreated light confronts
With eye-lids that have known the touch of tears.