Classic Poem

“Ay, the rare boon unto my brothers given,
To combat pain, to comfort, to allay,
To heal the maimed, when all in vain had striven,
And send them on their way!

“And more, oh man! I was so greatly cherished
That Christ the common purse unto me gave,
To aid the poor who on the high roads perished,
To fortify, to save.

“And thus o'er fruitful valley lands we wandered,
Through bastioned towns and desert wastes of sand,
While at each step the Savior paused and pondered,
Blessing the favored land.

“But ah! there came a day of doom impendent
To me, in strangest manner unforeseen,
When first I saw in loveliness transcendent
Mary, the Magdalene!

“Her loosened tresses in their uncurbed splendor,
A stream of gold like ripe and wavy wheat,
Fell o'er her bosom palpitant and tender
To kiss her sandaled feet.

“And the soft eyes whose mutable effulgence
Caused my dumb heart to flutter in surprise,
Filled with all mercy and with all indulgence,
Were like my Master's eyes!

“And I adored her in my uncouth fashion,
And wooed her love with all my love new-born,
With timid questionings, with ardent passion,
With heart and bosom torn.

“And her mute answer to my prayer ambitious
Thrilled me with rapture's all-consuming flame,
While from her lips, oh, ecstasy delicious!
The sweet avowal came!

“And then, impatient, urged by fears mysterious,
I long implored her on my bended knee
To cross the wavy darkness of Tiberias,
And make her tent with me.

“And she, to every whim conceived, consented,
Ay! to all plans my fevered fancy drew,
But I was poor, and grievously lamented,
Knowing not what to do.