Classic Poem

" " I lied, I lied to thee, oh Hell's own traitor!
When to my lips the words of passion came;
I love Him as a lover; as a hater
I hate thee and thy shame!

" " He said to me: " Thy sins are all forgiven! "
He said to thee: " Judas, thou wilt betray! "
And now, destroyer, from all mercy driven,
Away! Away! Away!"

" Frenzy, remorse, delirium satanic
Possessed me in my infamous despair;
I knew naught, as my pulses throbbed in panic;
I raved and rent my hair!

" And then, oh sacrifice most superhuman!
I shrieked aloud, oblivious to her hate:
" Oh Mary, Mary Magdalen! oh woman!
It is not yet too late!

" " Swear unto me by all thou holdest holy,
By God's august, impenetrable brow,
That thou wilt follow me and be mine solely,
And I will save Christ now."

" And she gasped: " Go, and here will I await thee,
But none can know how my poor heart will bleed,
Nor how my outraged womanhood can hate thee
For this, thy foulest deed!"

" Then to the stern Sanhedrim, panting, livid,
I flew, nor did my tireless effort cease
Until, with loud appealing voice and vivid,
I begged the Lord's release.

" And oh! the anguish of atonement's sorrow!
None then would listen to my frantic cries;
No sympathy, no justice could I borrow
By menaces or sighs.

" And maddened by their answers emblematic,
With indignation and despair I burst,
And cried aloud in threatening tones emphatic:
" Take back your coin accursed!"

" " I will not keep this silver foul and tainted;
The barter of my conscience is unpriced;
I see my sin! I have betrayed my sainted,
All-holy Master, Christ!