Between the festivals

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

Jerusalem draws the Lord as the eye of snake
Compels the fluttering bird to seek her doom:
Where wandered He between those festivals,
Autumn’s and Winter’s high solemnities?
We have no word. On Jordan’s further side,
Or in and out the dales of Galilee,
Might men a group of mournful aspect pass,
Wending ’neath the shadow of a cloud all saw—
Though One alone had prescience?

Did Christ repeat to the Twelve that lore of life
He had unfolded at the earlier Feast?
Once more, did He proclaim that men must judge,—
Each for himself discern the thing that’s true?
Again, the Water of Life did He offer free,
Or, manifest to them the Light of the World?
The days draw in and He must soon depart;
But not before He had left the Truth with the Twelve—
A sacred legacy, lodged in place secure,
The hearts of those whose errand was to proclaim
Those mysteries all must know an be they saved:
How urgent was’t that these should understand,
These Twelve who should go forth to th’ ends of the world
To cry aloud His doctrine—shew His life!

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