W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895.
Zacchæus
George MacDonald (18241905)T
It yet may serve him like a staff;
One day the cross will break in wings,
The sinner laugh a holy laugh.
His humble stature set him high;
The Lord the little man did see,
Who sought the great man passing by.
“To-day,” he said, “with thee I bide;”
A spirit-shaken fruit he dropped,
Ripe for the Master, at his side.
A welcome guest home with him bore!
Then rose the Satan of rebuke,
And loudly spake outside the door:
Sinners should house and eat alone!
This man sits in the stranger’s seat,
And grinds the faces of his own.”
“Lord, half my goods I give the poor;
If one I’ve taken more than right,
With four I make atonement sure.”
For this is also Abraham’s son,”
Said he who came the lost to win—
And saved the lost that he had won.