Bloomed with glory and transcendent dyes. Big-voiced lasses made their banjos bang! Tranced, fanatical, they shrieked and sang,Banjo Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Hallelujah! It was queer to see Bull-necked convicts with that land make free! Loons with bazoos blowing blare, blare, blare— On, on, upward through the golden air. Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Booth died blind, and still by faith he trod, Eyes still dazzled by the ways of God.Bass drums Booth led boldly and he looked the chief:slower and softer Eagle countenance in sharp relief, Beard a-flying, air of high command Unabated in that holy land.
Jesus came from out the Court-House door, Stretched his hands above the passing poor. Booth saw not, but led his queer ones thereFlutes Round and round the mighty Court-House square. Yet in an instant all that blear review Marched on spotless, clad in raiment new. The lame were straightened, withered limbs uncurled And blind eyes opened on a new sweet world.
Drabs and vixens in a flash made whole!Bass drums Gone was the weasel-head, the snout, the jowl;louder and faster Sages and sibyls now, and athletes clean. Rulers of empires, and of forests green!
The hosts were sandalled and their wings were fire— Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? But their noise played havoc with the angel-choir.Grand Chorus— Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?tambourines— Oh, shout Salvation! it was good to seeall instruments Kings and princes by the Lamb set free.in full blast The banjos rattled, and the tambourines Jing-jing-jingled in the hands of queens!
And when Booth halted by the curb for prayer He saw his Master through the flag-filled air.Reverently sung— Christ came gently with a robe and crownno instruments For Booth the soldier while the throng knelt down. He saw King Jesus—they were face to face, And he knelt a-weeping in that holy place. Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Nicholas Vachel Lindsay
WASTE LAND