Page:Poems Rossetti.djvu/462

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
434
"BEHOLD THE MAN!"
Yea, make thee ten times richer than before.
Give more and give yet more
Out of thy store.""

Because Thou givest me Thyself, I will
Thy blessed word fulfil,
Give with both hands, and hoard by giving still:
Thy pleasure to fulfil,
And work Thy Will."


"BEHOLD THE MAN!"
SHALL Christ hang on the Cross, and we not look?
Heaven, earth and hell stood gazing at the first,
While Christ for long-cursed man was counted cursed;
Christ, God and Man, Whom God the Father strook
And shamed and sifted and one while forsook:—
Cry shame upon our bodies we have nursed
In sweets, our souls in pride, our spirits immersed
In wilfulness, our steps run all acrook.
Cry shame upon us! for He bore our shame
In agony, and we look on at ease
With neither hearts on flame nor cheeks on flame:
What hast thou, what have I, to do with peace?
Not to send peace but send a sword He came,
And fire and fasts and tearful night-watches.