The Two Sayings

Two sayings of the Holy Scriptures beat
Like pulses, in the Church's brow and breast;
And, by them, we find rest in our unrest,
And, heart-deep in salt tears, do yet entreat
God's fellowship, as if on Heavenly seat.
One is, And Jesus wept,—whereon is prest
Full many a sobbing face that drops its best
And sweetest waters on the record sweet:—
And one is, where the Christ denied and scorned
Looked upon Peter! Oh, to render plain,
By help of having loved a little, and mourned,—
That look of sovran love and sovran pain,
Which He who could not sin, yet suffered, turned
On him who could reject, but not sustain!