Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE DYING THIEF, by JOHN SWINNERTON PHILLIMORE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE DYING THIEF, by                    
First Line: Even on the cross a man will make a prayer
Last Line: Thou hadst the heart to cry, remember me!
Subject(s): Crucifixion; Jesus Christ - Crucifixion


"Even on the cross a man will make a prayer."
Ay, but when eyes grow faint with instant death
And the voice fails, to have beside you there
In range of darkening eye and thickening breath,
Grace superabundant, grace that more outstrips
Desire than even desire outruns our due—
To meet the pitiful half ironic plea
Just uttered ere the lips
Relax in silence—giving rendezvous
This very day in Paradise with Me!

Did ever paladin adventuring out
To face the great uncharted enterprise,
Choose for companion in the crucial bout
A sorrier squire with whom to agonize?
Yet in that earthquake—darkened after
Of dereliction, when the seventh sword
So pierced the Dolorous Mother's heart that she
Was fallen dumb in swoon,
Thou midst the railers didst salute thy Lord—
Thou hadst the heart to cry, Remember me!





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