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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


DISGUISES by THOMAS EDWARD BROWN

First Line: HIGH STRETCHED UPON THE SWINGING YARD
Last Line: I LOOKED, AND IT WAS HE!
Subject(s): RELIGION; THEOLOGY;

HIGH stretched upon the swinging yard,
I gather in the sheet;
But it is hard
And stiff, and one cries haste.
Then He that is most dear in my regard
Of all the crew gives aidance meet;
But from His hands, and from His feet,
A glory spreads wherewith the night is starred:
Moreover of a cup most bitter-sweet
With fragrance as of nard,
And myrrh, and cassia spiced,
He proffers me to taste.
Then I to Him: -- "Art Thou the Christ?"
He saith -- "Thou say'st."

Like to an ox
That staggers 'neath the mortal blow,
She grinds upon the rocks: --
Then straight and low
Leaps forth the levelled line, and in our quarter locks.
The cradle's rigged; with swerving of the blast
We go,
Our Captain last --
Demands
"Who fired that shot?" Each silent stands --
Ah, sweet perplexity!
This too was He.

I have an arbour wherein came a toad
Most hideous to see --
Immediate, seizing staff or goad,
I smote it cruelly.
Then all the place with subtle radiance glowed --
I looked, and it was He!



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