Classic Poem

The Holy Cross speaks:

I AM remembering in the long ago:
How at the forest-edge they hewed me low,
And stem-cut thence strong foes took me to stare
Upon and bade me outcast men to bear
And hillward bore me shoulder high and then
Foes fixed me there. I saw the Lord of men
In his might hastening there me to ascend,
Yet dared not break asunder nor me bend
Nor disobey for God's commandment's sake
Though Earth I saw in all her bosom quake.
I stood, who might have thrown the foes to sod.
Then gathered Him, the Warrior young called God
Almighty; resolute and strong; unbowed
Of courage went He up in sight of crowd
Upon the lofty Cross mankind to fend.
I trembled in His arms but dared not bend
Or earthward fall: but firmly had to stand.
On me, the Cross, the mighty King was spanned
The Heaven's Lord, yet dared I not to quail.
You see the Wounds, dark piercing of the Nail
And open gashes. To none dared bring I bane.
They scorned us both and I was made astain
With Blood forth from His Side that flowed,
When He like Man His Ghost sent on its road.
And many were the bitter pangs I bore
Upon that hill. The Lord of Hosts I saw.
Unkindly set upon and darkness shroud
The Ruler's corpse with covering of cloud.
In face of shadowy night day's splendour leapt
All wan beneath the welkin. All creation wept.