In evil long I took delight, Unawed by shame or fear, Till a new object struck my sight, And stopped my wild career. I saw One hanging on a tree, In agonies and blood, Who fixed His languid eyes on me, As near His cross I stood. Sure, never till my latest breath Can I forget that look; It seemed to charge me with His death, Though not a word he spoke. My conscience felt and owned the guilt, And plunged me in despair; I saw my sins His blood had spilt, And helped to nail Him there. Alas! I knew not what I did: But now my tears are vain; Where shall my trembling soul be bid? For I the Lord have slain. A second look He gave, which said, "I freely all forgive; This blood is for thy ransom paid, I die that thou mayst live." Thus while His death my sin displays In all its blackest hue; Such is the mystery of grace, It seals my pardon too. With pleasing grief and mournful joy My spirit now is filled, That I should such a life destroy, Yet live by Him I killed. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1) by GILBERT KEITH CHESTERTON OLD SUSAN by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE PARTED by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR IN ANSWER TO QUESTION FROM GREEK GRAMMAR: WHAT FUTURES SPEAK by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD THE ORGANIST by KATHARINE LEE BATES |