Classic Poem

" And low they whispered: " Traitor, we have missed him!
No such a one as Christ has sought this dell!"
But I cried out: " Hail Master!" and I kissed Him;
Then upon Him they fell!

" And He said: " Wherefore dost thou now betray me,
Oh, Judas, my disciple above all?
Why did my watchful brethren not delay me,
Or answer to my call?"

" And I said to Him: " Was not this predicted?
Didst thou not know thy Heavenly Father's will?
Why in this hour of power standst thou afflicted?"
And His white lips were still!

" But ah! He gazed a moment strangely on me,
A look of wonder, pity and dismay,
And with averted eyes that seemed to shun me,
He then was led away.

" So unto me came Andrew, Jude and Thomas,
Urging me then to leave the sullied spot,
For priests had given them sacerdotal promise,
That they would harm Him not.

" And, being assured their council diabolic
Would be frustrated by the guarding Lord,
Knowing Christ sacred, pure and apostolic,
I left the desolate sward.

" Still marveling at the wonderful enigma,
My body a fire, my brain a seething mist,
But freed by God's own word from any stigma,
I hastened to the tryst,

" And then my vision, my doubt, my deed narrated,
To radiant Mary in all haste's alarm,
And, by impatient longings enervated,
Seized her reluctant arm.

" But she in anger and great wrath, indignant
Cried: " Christ, thy friend, my Savior and my goal,
Did hurl from me vile hosts of fiends malignant,
And purified my soul!

" " I love Him in His pride and in disaster,
I love the very pebbles he has trod,
I love Him as a man and as a master,
I love Him as my God!