Classic Poem

Christ delivereth the Woman taken in Adultery.

Christ to the mount of olives fled,
And early in the morning sped
Back to the temple yet again,
And all the folk, a numerous train,
Did to his residence repair,
And he sat down and taught them there
Then came the Pharisaic band,
And Scriv'ners, having in their hand
A woman in adult'ry found,
And shewing her the Lord, they sound,
‘Lord, this is an adult'ress base,
‘And far too evident the case.
‘Now Moses, that we might atone
‘For such, commanded us to stone:
‘But what say'st thou?’—The wily Jews
Thus press'd him, that they might accuse.
But Jesus stoop'd upon the spot,
And with his finger something wrote,
Making as though he nothing heard:
So when they ask'd, and persever'd,
Recov'ring of himself, said he,
Whoso from carnal vice is free
Amongst you all, let him begin
To stone this woman for her sin
And then again, his body bent,
He wrote upon the ground intent.
This when the multitude had heard,
(Not one by his own conscience clear'd)
Sneak'd man by man from Christ and truth,
Ev'n from the eldest to the youth:
So that they left the Prince of Grace,
And woman standing in the place.
When Jesus then himself anew
Had rais'd with nothing in his view,
Except the woman, he inquir'd,
‘Woman, where are thy foes retir'd?
‘Art thou by none a convict made?’
Lord, not by any one, she said.
Then answ'ring her again, said he,
‘Thou art no convict made by me:
‘The Lord most merciful adore,
‘And go thy ways, and sin no more.’