The Cross—The disciple

For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.

Isaiah liii. 2.

The Cross—The disciple

(The Saviour of the World, Vol III Book IV Poem XLI)

Fairer than all the sons of men,
Lovely beyond high seraph’s ken,

The beauty of the Lord our God upon Him,—
O wherefore say’st thou we should not desire Him?

A sacrifice, with red wounds scarr’d;
Ah, pity He should be so marr’d!

But dear love tokens are these stripes upon Him,
And more than any grace do bind us to Him.

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Fast bound, a living sacrifice,
With silent lips and patient eyes,

And outspread hands that grasp not any treasure,
And nailed feet that move not on His pleasure:—

Looking, our hearts do sink in fear;
Seen from afar, how fair! Drawn near,

The vision of the Lamb appals! Sore paineth
Us, this continual Dying that constraineth!