Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE TRAITOR, by JOHN COWPER POWYS



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE TRAITOR, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Judas am I, or peter
Last Line: And my love looking at me!
Subject(s): Betrayal; Faces; Fate; Judas Iscariot (d. 30 A.d.); Love; Night; Peter, Saint (c. 64 A.d.); Silver; Destiny; Bedtime


Judas am I, or Peter,
Or am I only one
Set by malicious destiny
Between the moon and sun?

Silver upon the land!
Silver upon the sea!
A world of silver in my hand --
And my Love looking at me.

It is not only the Lord,
Who in the high priest's hall,
Looks on the man who can betray,
Till bitterly weeping, he turns away,
Too common grows that word.

Put out the altar-light!
Let no wine redden the floor.
Cover that lovely face from sight!
Let me go forth into the night,
And see that look no more.

Silver upon the land!
Silver upon the sea!
A world of silver in my hand --
And my Love looking at me!





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