Christians were on the earth ere Christ was

Christians were on the earth ere Christ was
born;
His laws, not yet a code, were followed still.
By sightless pagans, in the dark forlorn,
Groping towards the light, as blind men will:
Thousands of years ago men dared to die
Loving their enemies— and wondered why!
Who that has read in Homer's truthful page,
Of brave Achilles, brooding o'er the corse

Of Hector sacrificed (less to his rage.
Than iron custom's law, without remorse,
Claiming revenge for mild Patroclus slain '.)
Can doubt he wished great Hector lived again?
Full half the tears he shed were Hector's due,
Whose noble soul he had to Hades sent —
Why? was Patroclus gainer? If they knew!
Methinks I see Achilles in his tent.
Beating his breast, and twitching at his hair.

Wanting a few words only — the Lord's Prayer!
And more for his, than Priam's sake, I feel
Rejoiced when I am told the good old man
Comes with his simple, fatherly appeal
For Hector's body: — pointing out a plan
Of kindness, atonement, and of peace.
That in Achilles' breast Hate's strife may cease.
What joy he must have felt to see a way
To turn him from Revenge's irksome path;

Like a worn seaman who descries the day,
After a night-watch mid the tempest's wrath.
Methinks I see him, in his huge arms bear.
Great Hector's body, with admiring care;
And chuckling to evade the sentries dull.
Convey it through the sleeping camp with glee;
With sense of lightness new and wonderful,
To grateful Priam's car. " What can it be? "
I hear him ask, "thus makes my bosom glow,

Showing such weakness to a fallen foe? "