Classic Poem

“‘But ye, who fear His parables pacific,
His holy teachings that can never die,
Ye, who reject His godhead beatific,
Are wretcheder than I!’

“And then I ceased to blame them or implore them,
While they gazed on me in sore disarray,
But hurled the shining pieces down before them,
And turned my feet away.

“Unarmed and crushed, and scorning even pity,
Calmly to waiting Mary I did go,
While she, in anguish clamoring, sought the city,
And left me to my woe.

“And as I wandered, desolate, pathetic,
Alone on earth, without a love or tie,
I cried: ‘Oh God! recall thy words prophetic!
I am about to die!’

“And where, in glory, near the calm lake glowing,
The mellow moon most radiantly shone,
I chanced upon a fig-tree thereby growing,
And hanged myself thereon!


“Now learn, oh man! that after I had perished,
I suffered for all previous sinning done,
Like other men who sin, but I am cherished
And pardoned for this one!

“It was God's will, and I, His slave, obeyed it.
It was His stern commandment; I obeyed.
It was His wish, and I was called to aid it,
And I did give my aid.

“Tell unto men that I am no deceiver;
Tell them my wrong, my pardon and my pain,
And, as thou art no more my unbeliever,
Purge my good name from stain!”


Then in my dream, from which all doubt was banished,
The phantom upward slowly seemed to soar,
And with a smile ineffable it vanished,
And it was seen no more.

But as I shuddered in supremest terror,
And while still marveling and mute I lay,
Persuaded of my fancy's awful error,
I heard Iscariot say:

“Friend, I am now beyond the earth's affliction;
I speak unto thee from a heavenly strand,
While Christ, our Savior, gives me benediction,
And, smiling, holds my hand!”