Page:Main Street and other poems, Kilmer, 1917.djvu/49

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MAIN STREET AND OTHER POEMS


THE ROBE OF CHRIST

(For Cecil Chesterton)

AT the foot of the Cross on Calvary
Three soldiers sat and diced,
And one of them was the Devil
And he won the Robe of Christ.


When the Devil comes in his proper form
To the chamber where I dwell,
I know him and make the Sign of the Cross
Which drives him back to Hell.


And when he comes like a friendly man
And puts his hand in mine,
The fervour in his voice is not
From love or joy or wine.


And when he comes like a woman,
With lovely, smiling eyes,
Black dreams float over his golden head
Like a swarm of carrion flies.



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