“If Thou hadst been here”

Raising of Lazarus.

(The Gospel History, Section 83)

So when Jesus came, he found that he had been in the tomb four days already. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off; and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother. Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary still sat in the house. Martha therefore said unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. And even now I know that, whatsoever thou shalt ask of God, God will give thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

“If Thou hadst been here”

(The Saviour of the World, Vol V Book V Poem LXXV)

Who knoweth not the weariness
Of friendly futile words in grief?
The sisters heard in listlessness
Those Jews’ stale speech nor found relief:
A whisper rose that He, their Chief,
At last was on His tardy way:
Martha went out to Him; and brief
And bitter speech urged eager way:—

“Master, by loitering late, didst Thou my brother slay!”

But, ere the hasty words were out
Her eyes beheld the Face divine;
Perceived she with uneasy doubt
He yet might do some work benign,—
For sure He had the Father’s ear:
Too late for her! she must resign
The brother so exceeding dear:—

“Lazarus shall rise again: then weep not thou, nor fear.”

St. John xi. 17-23.