DESPISED AND REJECTED. Y sun has set, I dwell MY In darkness as a dead man out of sight; And none remains, not one, that I should tell To him mine evil plight This bitter night. I will make fast my door That hollow friends may trouble me no more. "Friend, open to Me.". Who is this that calls? Nay, I am deaf as are my walls : Cease crying, for I will not hear Thy cry of hope or fear. Others were dear, Others forsook me: what art thou indeed That I should heed Thy lamentable need? Hungry should feed, Or stranger lodge thee here? "Friend, My Feet bleed. Open thy door to Me and comfort Me." I will not open, trouble me no more. I will not rise and open unto thee. "Then is it nothing to thee? Open, see Who stands to plead with thee. Open, lest I should pass thee by, and thou One day entreat My Face And howl for grace, And I be deaf as thou art now. Open to Me." Then I cried out upon him: Cease, Leave me in peace: Fear not that I should crave Aught thou mayst have. Leave me in peace, yea trouble me no more, Lest I arise and chase thee from my door. Alone, that thou dost vex me yet? But all night long that voice spake urgently: "Open to Me." Still harping in mine ears : "Rise, let Me in.” Pleading with tears: "Open to Me that I may come to thee." While the dew dropped, while the dark hours were cold: "My Feet bleed, see My Face, See My Hands bleed that bring thee grace, My Heart doth bleed for thee, Open to Me." So till the break of day: Then died away That voice, in silence as of sorrow; Then footsteps echoing like a sigh Lingering footsteps slow to pass. On the morrow I saw upon the grass Each footprint marked in blood, and on my docr The mark of blood forevermore. LONG BARREN. HOU who didst hang upon a barren tree, TH My God, for me; Though I till now be barren, now at length, Lord, give me strength To bring forth fruit to Thee. Thou who didst bear for me the crown of thorn, Spitting and scorn; Though I till now have put forth thorns, yet now Strengthen me Thou That better fruit be borne. |