Page:Flower of youth, poems in war time, Tynan, 1915.djvu/49

Rh MEDIATION

(After St Anselm)

Thou, Lord God, willest to judge

This, Thy very piteous clay

Which to save Christ did not grudge

His last dying, I shall say:

Lord, I interpose Christ's death

'Twixt these children and Thy wrath.

Then if Thou shouldst say: Their shame

Is as scarlet in Mine eyes—

I shall ask: Who took their blame?

Look, Lord, on this Sacrifice!

Is Thy Son's blood not more bright

Which hath washed their scarlet white?

Then, if Thou Thy wrath should'st keep

And Thy gaze should'st still avert

From Thy Son's most piteous sheep,

I shall ask: Who bare the hurt?

I present Christ's death and pain

'Twixt Thine anger and these men.