Page:Mistral - Mirèio. A Provençal poem.djvu/242

---

"'Inflamed the bad hearts of the Jewish kings.
They led him to a mountain for these things,
And cruelly onto a tree-trunk nailed,
Spat on the sacred face, and coarsely railed
And lifted him on high.' Here all the throng
Brake into loud lament and sobbing strong.

"'Mercy,' they cried, 'for our iniquities!
What shall we do the Father to appease?
Answer us, man of God! If blood must flow,
He shall have hecatombs.'—'Ah, no! ah, no!'
Replied the saint; 'but slay before the Father
Your vices and your evil passions rather!'

"So knelt, and prayed: 'Lord, thou dost not desire
Odor of slaying, sacrificial fire,
Or stately temples! Dearer far to thee
Is the bread given to those who fainting be;
Or sweet girl's timid coming, who doth bring
Her pure heart, like a May-flower, to her king.'

"As o'er the Apostle's lips, like sacred oil,
The word of God was flowing, 'gan recoil
The idols everywhere, and plunged at last
Adown the temple stairs; while tears dropped fast,
And rich and poor and working-men all ran
To kiss the garment of the holy man.