We had all but reached the place where she lay—
When over me like a stream in flood,
There swept the thought that those men of blood
Would seize and slay him. So I stood.
And turning swiftly round I spake,
“Father, thy life they’ll surely take!
Turn back, turn back, for Jesu’s sake!”
He stood a moment silently,
Dimly he looked on earth and sky—
And said—“The times are good to die!”