Page:Dreams and Images.djvu/149

The measure of the homage that shall swell
In pæans great around the royal throne."

The surging crowd hid from his eyes the things
He did not care to see, but faint he heard
The hammer strokes, that seemed to drive the nails
Deep in his heart. Then turned he to a man
Who silent stood beside him, and he said:
"A stranger I, from Jaffa, yesternight
I came. This man? What evil hath He done?"
"I know not any wrong that He hath done,"

Came answer fast. "I only know the good
That He had wrought. Behold my eyes that see!
Once they were dark. He passed me by one day
And loud I cried: 'O Son of David, mercy show
That I may see.' He touched me and I saw."
Another silent man near Fidus stood,
To him he spoke, "And friend, what knowest thou?"
"I know that now I live though I was dead;
For I had gone into the ending tomb
All spiced for rest and bound with linen bands;
And He did come, and He did call me forth.
I heard His voice that sounded far away,
As if I stood within a valley deep,
And some one, from the mountain crest,
Kept calling me. Then clearer was the Voice;
As if on wings, I soared aloft to Him,
Who had the Power to bid me come or stay.
Again my heart did beat and vital blood
Surged through my wid'ning veins. I lived again."

Then Fidus quick recalled a wondrous thing:
He saw the Boy in Joseph's little shop,