The Anointing at Bethany.
SIX days before the Passover
The Lord appeared again
In Bethany, where Lazarus dwelt,
And his good sisters twain.
There, by a supper in the house,
Their welcome was expressed,
And Martha served, but Lazarus sat
At table with the guest.
Then Mary came and took her place
Down at the Master's feet,
And broke an alabaster box,
Of odor very sweet.
And tenderly she did anoint
The feet of Jesus there;
And wiped them with the flowing locks
Of her luxuriant hair.
Then Judas, called Iscariot,
His sullen silence broke,
And of the woman's costly gift
Thus, with a sneer, he spoke:
"For three hundred pence, in money,
This ointment would have sold,
And that would feed and clothe the poor,
Who hungry are, and cold."
He said this, though he had no care
Or pity for the poor;
But was a thief, and had the bag,
And coveted the store.
Then Jesus said: "Let her alone;
Against my burial day
She poured this ointment on my feet,
Her last regards to pay.
"The humble poor ye always have
With you, to help their needs;
But me ye cannot always have
To show me loving deeds."
Now many people of the Jews
Soon knew that He was there,
And crowded in, that they might see,
And His discourse might hear.
Yet not for Jesus' sake alone
Had they the visit made,
But to see Lazarus, whom He
Had raised up from the dead.