202
POEMS.
Swift gesture of reproof. "Away!"
In feeble voice he cried, "and pray
In feeble voice he cried, "and pray
"To be forgiven! Heinous sin
Is his who lets temptation in."
Is his who lets temptation in."
Meek-bowed, the brothers turned to go.
"Stay!" said the hermit, whispering low:
"Stay!" said the hermit, whispering low:
"Leave them not here to tempt my sight.
I may not eat. Some other might.
I may not eat. Some other might.
"As each man thinketh in his heart,
So must he reckon duty's part.
So must he reckon duty's part.
"Mayhap some brother, in sore strait
Even this hour doth sit and wait,
Even this hour doth sit and wait,
"To whom God sends these clusters sweet
By your pure hands. Be true! Be fleet!"
By your pure hands. Be true! Be fleet!"
From cave to cave, from cell to cell,
The brothers did their errand well.
The brothers did their errand well.
In Nitria's desert, hermits then
By scores were dwelling, holy men,
By scores were dwelling, holy men,
Mistaken saints, who thought to save
Their souls, by making life a grave.
Their souls, by making life a grave.
From cave to cave, from cell to cell,
The brothers did their errand well.
The brothers did their errand well.
