Classic Poem

" By Him at that hour I was not forsaken,
For in the inner essence of my soul,
Poesy's charm to me He did awaken,
And gave me its control.

" Then I than earth's most noble bards was greater,
And on my lips inspired there ever hung
The unuttered canticles of my creator,
Songs that no man has sung.

" And I remember those departed glories,
When Kedron's vales re-echoed linnets' songs,
And how I charmed with texts and allegories
The vast, attentive throngs;

" And when with my disciples, friends and leaders,
I roamed where spring had made Gennesaret green,
And how amid fair Bethany's tall cedars
I preached my creed serene;

" With John beside me, Matthew, James and Peter,
The upright Andrew, the confiding Jude;
Men whose allegiance and whose love made sweeter
The strange life I pursued.

" And I recall those nights when, charmed, I listened
To music of soft ugabs and shophars,
While the blue depths of calm Tiberias glistened
Beneath a world of stars.

" Alas! the enchantment passed, while fast and faster
Continuous evil fell upon my head;
I, the world's benefactor, guide and pastor,
Was into ambush led.

" Yet faith had utterly and blindly filled me,
For I had healed with my caressing touch,
And men who, were I powerless, would have killed me,
Worshiped and marveled much.

" From rabid bodies I had cast forth demons,
And I amid the human hordes, elect,
Could purify the sins of lawless lemans,
And dead men resurrect.

" No leprous churl, no wretch consumed of cancer,
No weeping boor possessed of searching pain,
Spake unto me, to whom I did not answer:
" Go free of fear and stain!"

" And I, who hearkened to their prayers and praises,
I, who had heard them call, upon my way,
" Hail to the King who flesh from darkness raises!"
Did marvel more than they.

" Then came the time when I, the gentle master,
Was sorely tempted by the wiles of Hell:
Disgrace, derision and supreme disaster
Upon my calm life fell.

" Scoffed at in insolent ways, but still undaunted,
I reed-like bowed before my shame unique,
Although my every step was tried and taunted,
Although I could not speak

" Or curse the fools that harmed me, for those voices,
Those suave seraphic voices I had heard,
Murmured: " Thy Father in thy strength rejoices!
Utter no hasty word!"

" And in the depths of my great degradation
I found new fervor for the coming strife,
And, hopeful, felt in my humiliation
That God would grant me life.