Page:Near nature's heart; a volume of verse (IA nearnaturesheart00jack).pdf/54



Was That Somebody I?

O child of hope, why left to go astray, And rend this heart of mine? Some one knew not, nor cared what ruthless way You wend—once babe benign— Was that somebody I?

If God, with perfect heart, loved you, my child, And to Jesus likened thee— Why so favored first, now sad and wild? Who failed to love? Ah me! Was that somebody I?

One said he loved the Christ and all of his; He read the Word and prayed; Believed that one the cruel creed, "What is, Is best?" And so you strayed— Was that somebody I?

At home neglected, nowhere a faithful friend, You listless wandered on; Till fool or knave declared: "You're bad, your end Looms dark—a criminal born!" Was that somebody I?

Despised yet more—the Christ and thee—then crime! You bore with shame the chains! Your training and your arts,  in Hell's own clime, Went on with damning drains— Great Heaven! was it I?

Did I neglect you, child, my  Father's child, I judge, and send you down? Myself at ease, while you were curst, reviled— No aid gave I, no crown? Then Christ must pass me by!