Page:Poems of home and country (IA poemsofhomecount01smit).pdf/280

 The evening sun slanted among the hills Where Zion's temple shone. Down the descent Of Olivet a joyous crowd advanced, Singing hosannas unto Him that came,— The Son of David, and yet David's Lord, The prophet of their nation; not as when Each heart beat sadly, and the silent tears Stole down the cheeks of all the sorrowing band At the dead brother's tomb. Now all was gay And bright. But unto a devoted place, Cursed as the dwelling of the crucifiers, The crucifiers of the Lord of life And glory, they were drawing near. The crowd, Rejoicing in their city, and the sheen Of their own glorious temple, pressed their way, Thoughtless of coming evil. But, behold! Amid the happy throng one stretched His gaze Into eternity, soon to receive The uncomforted inhabitants, whose towers Were ready to their fall,—the inhabitants Who knew not when their visitation came; One gazed in silent sadness as He thought Upon their coming fate, and Jesus wept.

Wept twice on earth,—once at the tomb of him Whose sorrowing sisters He had loved; and once, When He foresaw Jerusalem's dread fate.