He kept the Passover; it was his last;
For now drew near the great predestined day,
When of man's mighty guilt himself should pay
With dying groans and blood the ransom vast:
The cross was in his eye, the hours flew fast;
Yet calm he sat and looked serenely round
On all the twelve; while they with awe profound,
And loving gaze on him, revolved the past —
The future from them hid: then touched He said —
" Of you one shall betray me unto death! "
At that dire word BETRAY — they all did start,
As if a thunder peal had stilled each breath,
Or sudden mortal pang shot through each heart:
Lord! Is it I? each cried with horrid dread.