Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ST. MARTIN AND THE BEGGAR, by MARGARET ELIZABETH MUNSON SANGSTER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ST. MARTIN AND THE BEGGAR, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: In the freezing cold and the blinding snow
Last Line: Soldier and servant and knight of christ.
Alternate Author Name(s): Van Deth, Gerrit, Mrs.
Subject(s): Begging & Beggars; Jesus Christ


IN the freezing cold and the blinding snow
Of a wintry eve in the long ago,
Folding his cloak o'er clanking mail,
A soldier is fighting the angry gale
Inch by inch to the camp-fire's light,
Star of his longing this wintry night.

All in a moment his path is barred;
He draws his sword as he stands on guard.
But who is this with a white, wan face,
And piteous hands upheld for grace?
Tenderly bending, the soldier bold
Raises a beggar faint and cold.

Famished he seems, and almost spent;
The rags that cover him worn and rent.
Crust nor coin can the soldier find;
Never his wallet with gold is lined;
But his soul is sad at the sight of pain;
The sufferer's pleading is not in vain.

His mantle of fur is broad and warm,
Armor of proof against the storm;
He snatches it off without a word;
One downward pass of the gleaming sword,
And clett in twain at his feet it lies,
And the storm wind howls 'neath the frowning skies.

"Half for thee"—and with tender art
He gathers the cloak round the beggar's heart—
"And half for me"; and with jocund song
In the teeth of the tempest he strides along,
Daring the worst of the sleet and snow,
That brave young spirit so long ago.

Lo! as he slept at midnight's prime,
His tent had the glory of summer time;
Shining out of a wondrous light,
The Lord Christ beamed on his dazzled sight.
"I was the beggar," the Lord Christ said,
As he stood by the soldier's lowly bed;
"Half of thy garment thou gavest Me;
With the blessing of heaven I dower thee."
And Martin rose from the hallowed tryst
Soldier and servant and knight of Christ.





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