Classic Poem

She came — the sinful — while he brake the bread,
Her broken heart now healed, and brimming o'er
With holy burning love; she came to pour
Sweet, precious odors on that reverend head;
And — as by deep prophetic impulse led —
That sacred body, soon uplifted high
'Mid scorn and shame in agony to die,
Betimes to anoint for its sepulchral bed.
Ungrudgingly she did the loving' deed;
For to that glowing heart no offering seemed,
Too rich for him — no cost too dear she deemed,
If he with one kind look the gift might heed:
The selfish chid, pronounced her act a crime;
He praised — and bade it live to latest time!