Page:Poet Lore, volume 28, 1917.djvu/507

Rh Thou wouldst proclaim the coming kingdom of Heaven to the weak, wretched. Thou wouldst bestow Imperishable gifts upon clean hearts. Thou wouldst show humble souls the way into Thy Father’s dwelling and erase the curse Of Adam from each generation’s brow!

Thou didst go to Thy death quiet, resigned, Just as the lamb that openest not its mouth. Thou pourest out Thy blood even like the dew. To moisten Thy young and early sprouting seed.

Jesus of Nazareth, behold the throngs That surge continually about Thy cross! Not long ago, when Thou didst enter in The city in triumph, they strewed palms neath Thy colt, cried praises unto Thee, and then Proclaimed Thee David’s son. For they thought ’mongst Themselves the kingdom of God was at hand, The cherished time of milk and honey was Now come. And then Thou didst refuse again. The disappointed throngs next in anger Cried, “Crucify Him!” into Pilate’s ears. And now they come and wag their heads and say: Here the king of the Jews is crucified. Let Him save Himself. He would be the Son Of God. But God seems to forsake Him now. And God forsook Behold that heaven where Thou Didst deem He reigns in all of His glory! Cloudless, serene, it smiles quietly on With its insensible blue smile. As ’twas Before, so ’twill be after Thee. So too The fowls flying the air and every beast Inhabiting the earth has lived and lives According to one law, that is my law. The strong forever shall absorb the weak. ’Tis so with man. And this whole wide, wide world Is my kingdom. Because I am the Life. I rule. I sit enthroned in hearts, in souls. No one shall ever banish me, nor Thou, Nor Thy Father, Thy kingdom of God is A dream. That dream I leave to man fore’er!