Stern Friend

Stern Friend! with what a passionate eloquence

And deep voice thou didst plead,
Till thy words cut like knives, through every sense,

Making my heart to bleed!
The spirit of old times went from thee there,

As lightning bold and keen,
And still unhealed the seams and furrows, where

That lightning passed, are seen.
Alas! it was a most unworthy dream

That with my youth had grown, —
An earthly lure with a false winning gleam

Of Heaven about it thrown.
'Twas a brave thought to think that thou couldst tear

The idol from its shrine,
And rear a nobler, heavenlier image there

Than that old dream of mine.
Still, as thy hurried gesture waxed more fierce,

My thoughts drew further in,
Shrinking from that quick eye which seemed to pierce

The last thin veil of sin.
I watched thee like an abject, guilty thing,

And wept with shame and fear,
Whilst thou didst lay thy hand on me, and bring

The gleaming Cross more near;
And my whole being quailed with agony,

And writhed with burning smart,
When thou didst lift its bright, sharp edge on high,
And plant it in my heart.
Friend! I am conquered now, and all my powers

With holier impulse burn,
And yet I dare not trust myself when hours

Of languid ease return.
Then do I envy wild sea-birds that float,

And wish that we could be
Rocking forever in a little boat

On some blue sunny sea:
And I would fain be dreaming, while the tide

Of active change doth roll,
That we at anchor and at ease might ride

Safe in each other's soul.
It may not be: I and my dreams must part, —

Part in the blood that flowed,
Where the stern Cross ran deepest in my heart,

Tearing its cruel road.
That pool of blood shall stand for ever -there

Where the dread Sign took root,
So shall the Cross have plants and blossoms rare

Grow up around its foot.
The watch-tower steps are fallen to decay,

Broken in every stone,
And it is perilous to wind one's way

To that high place alone.
But, Wert thou with me there, the wildest night

Would not seem dark or long;
And we would sing old Psalms till morning light

Broke in upon our song.
And should these rebel dreams of earth arise

Against my hardy vow,
Then shall I dread a friend that can chastise

As faithfully as thou!