Classic Poem

HYMN III

— tell
Whether His countenance can thee affright,
Tears in His eyes quench the amazing light."
— Donne .
When Jesus' friend had ceased to be,
Still Jesus' heart its friendship kept —
" Where have ye laid him?" — " Come and see!"
But ere his eyes could see, they wept.

Lord! not in sepulchres alone
Corruption's worm is rank and free:
The shroud of death our bosoms own —
The shades of sorrow! Come and see!

Come, Lord! God's image cannot shine
Where sin's funereal darkness lowers —
Come! Turn those weeping eyes of thine
Upon these sinning souls of ours!

And let those eyes with shepherd care
Their moving watch above us keep;
Till love the strength of sorrow wear,
And, as Thou weepedst, we may weep!

For surely we may weep to know,
So dark and deep our spirits' stain;
That, had thy blood refused to flow
Thy very tears had flowed in vain.