[I.]
AFTER THE DENIAL.
John 21: 15–18.
When fast was broken on Tiberias' shore,
The risen Lord, still anxious that his own
Should know love's secret as to him 'twas known,
Thrice asked of Peter, "Lovest thou me more
Than these?" The third time Peter's heart was sore.
Must even love divine have doubt's sad tone?
"Thou knowest, Lord, I love thee," was his moan.
Then, "Feed my sheep," Christ answered as before.
Still in these days the risen Lord bends o'er
The shores of time, and longs for human love;
The love that hears his voice, awake, asleep,
And makes response as Peter did of yore.
"Lovest thou me?" O Christ, from heights above,
Thou knowest that we love thee. "Feed my sheep."
[II.]
GETHSEMANE.
Matthew 26:36–46.
"Could ye not watch with me one hour?" O heart
Of Christ, still longing in the bitterest hour
For human sympathy and love to shower
A needed strength beyond words to impart!
Humanity is richer for this art
Of seeing in poor finite man a power—
Before which even ministering angels cower—
To know all truth, e'en dread Gethsemane's smart.
Alas! the power to know will bring the pain.
But through the pain of wisdom's true insight
Is Christ's own perfect sympathy made plain.
Possessed of this, we see in tenderest light
His sorrowing heart in failing to obtain
The longed-for love in hour of darkest night.