The Ambassador withdraws
The Feast of Tabernacles.
(The Gospel History, Section 77)
The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him; and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to take him. Jesus therefore said, Yet a little while am I with you, and I go unto him that sent me.
The Ambassador withdraws
(The Saviour of the World, Vol V Book II Poem XXI)
How solemn is the scene: the mighty crowd
Is silent, as perceiving issues great
Hang on that controversy ’twixt Christ and them
Who ruled in Israel. Their hatred grown,
These bade their men,—“Go, take Him at all costs,
E’en should a riot call the legions out
And cause the heel of Rome to trample us.”
And, “therefore,” Jesus spake: but why, “therefore,”—
We, timid, ask:—conceive we posse, then,
Of city officers sent to apprehend
Some royal prince in our streets, who comes to pay
Visit of honour in his father’s name—
And, lo, as one disorderly, they seize
Our princely visitor—those officers
Whose business ’tis to deal with rude offence!
Conceive! but how conceive we the awful scene
When the Person most august, the Son of God,
Come on behalf of God to visit men,
Thrice royal Visitant, was thus misprized!
Christ, answering, arraigns these haughty Jews
For rude infringement of His Majesty:
His credentials He withdraws: “I go away
To Him that sent Me.” Could Ambassador
With more dignity, finality, retire?
St. John vii. 32, 33.
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