Jesus, whose lot with us was cast, Who saw it out, from first to last: Patient and fearless, tender, true, Carpenter, vagabond, felon, Jew: Whose humorous eye took in each phase Of full, rich life this world displays, Yet evermore kept fast in view The far-off goal it leads us to: Who, as your hour neared, did not fail— The world's fate trembling in the scale— With your half-hearted band to dine, And chat across the bread and wine: Then went out firm to face the end, Alone, without a single friend: Who felt, as your last words confessed, Wrung from a proud unflinching breast By hours of dull ignoble pain, Your whole life's fight was fought in vain: Would I could win and keep and feel That heart of love, that spirit of steel. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPECIAL PLEADING by SIDNEY LANIER THE MAN WITH THE WOODEN LEG by KATHERINE MANSFIELD LINCOLN TRIUMPHANT by EDWIN MARKHAM THE DUNES OF INDIANA by EDGAR LEE MASTERS JOHN BROWN by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON ELEGY: THE LAMENT OF EDWARD BLASTOCK; FOR RICHARD ROWLEY by EDITH SITWELL |