mary at the feet of jesus.
41
The smile of rapture for a soul redeemed
From earthly thoughts, to hopes of heaven.
From earthly thoughts, to hopes of heaven.
He spake,
And said to him, whose heart and lip had spurned
The holy deed, which hallows Mary's name;—
"Thine house I entered; but thou gavest me
No water for my feet; but with her tears,
She hath not ceased to wash them, wiping them
E'en with the clustering locks of her bowed head.
Thou gavest me no kiss; but since I came,
She hath not ceased in deep humility
To kiss my feet. Thou with the fragrant oil,
My head didst not anoint; but she hath wrought
A holy work on me, anointing me,
Even for my burial hour. Wherefore I say,
Her sins, though many, are forgiven her.
Much hath she loved, and wheresoe'er is preached
In the whole world, the Gospel of my word,
There also this, the work which she has wrought,
Shall be a sweet memorial of her name."
And said to him, whose heart and lip had spurned
The holy deed, which hallows Mary's name;—
"Thine house I entered; but thou gavest me
No water for my feet; but with her tears,
She hath not ceased to wash them, wiping them
E'en with the clustering locks of her bowed head.
Thou gavest me no kiss; but since I came,
She hath not ceased in deep humility
To kiss my feet. Thou with the fragrant oil,
My head didst not anoint; but she hath wrought
A holy work on me, anointing me,
Even for my burial hour. Wherefore I say,
Her sins, though many, are forgiven her.
Much hath she loved, and wheresoe'er is preached
In the whole world, the Gospel of my word,
There also this, the work which she has wrought,
Shall be a sweet memorial of her name."
Gently he turned him to the kneeling form,
And in the tones of mild encouragement,
He spake the words, thrice precious to her ear,
"Thy sins are pardoned; go in peace. Thy faith,
Humble yet mighty, hath redeemed thy soul."
And in the tones of mild encouragement,
He spake the words, thrice precious to her ear,
"Thy sins are pardoned; go in peace. Thy faith,
Humble yet mighty, hath redeemed thy soul."
