The Second Coming

Christ is risen !
Hath burst the prison !

Some say the Lord is come again
And walks familiarly with men,
Though we may pass Him in the street,
Never surmising whom we meet,
Sit near Him at the social meal
Conversing, and yet never feel
The Royal Birth he would conceal.
For since He appeareth not in glory
Nor, as of old, in sacred story,
Girt with Oriental dress,
But, clothed as we are, comes to bless,
Who He is men never guess !

Yet when He passeth through the city
His dove-like eyes are dim with pity
For His overburdened poor ;
Every pang their hearts endure
He beareth on His own ; but when
He goeth among evil men.
Wearing ordinary garb,
All unknown to those who barb
Shafts for feeble folk oppressed,
The lowly, unapprehended Guest
Breatheth pity blent with anger.
Till Laughter's dissonant, harsh clangour
Jangles, or a steely smile
Flashes from faces that revile
Generous Folly, void of guile;
Wondering, inwardly they jeer
At One so strange and alien near.
But in Him pity blends with wrath
Aware of what a deep hell-broth
These have plunged their live souls in :
For suffering is less than sin.

We do not know Him better now,
Than the sires who crowned His brow
In shallow scorn,
With cruel thorn ;
Though Christ be risen ;
Have burst the prison !

Yet Innocence at mirthful feast,
Or a virgin-hearted priest.
Brother, father of his people
(Who in hushed church with tower or steeple,
Weary wings a moment furled.
Find a refuge from the world),
Or any lowly worshipper,
The Holy Presence may confer.
We find Him in the brave long strife,
Wherewith our common ways are rife,
In frank swift yielding health — yea, life —
Of one who champions a high cause,
Or saves a victim from the paws
Of strong Vicissitude, that glowers
Ere it mangles and devours.

Intolerant of every wrong,
He suffers patiently and long.
To jeers and threats and calumny
He returneth low reply ;
Knowing Earth, our realm of night,
Isled in unfathomable light !

Christ may be needlewoman, nurse,
Rich or poor ; dull clouds disperse
Before the undivined Revealer ;
Reformer, scholar, poet, healer,
Every calling, every trade,
Claimeth honour of His aid ;
In Whose mild genial radiance
Stern-environing Circumstance
Relenteth ; melts and gently glows ;
Iron-bound doors fly wide, disclose
Fair friends, in place of grisly foes.
And far more even what He doth
Maketh to prevail the Truth.
Well indeed for one who can
Discern the face of God in man !
In good governors, who serve ;
In wan toilers who ne'er swerve
From labour, bearing death for them.
Yet for others gold and gem ;
Through some poor sempstress He bestows
Blessings, in return for blows.
Christ is risen !
Hath burst the prison !

Yet if indeed Thy feet have pressed
Our common ways here in the West,
Since mournful followers laid to rest
Thy worn heart in the Syrian tomb,
Hasten, Lord ! to rend the gloom ;
Restore our ruined earth, O God,
And make it worthy Thy abode !
Or, cankered, old, worm-eaten, alloyed.
Must the dark planet be destroyed.
Her fragments scattered to the void,
As hath befallen many a star
Whose rays diffused her glory far.
For Love to build upon the site
A worthier world for Love's delight ?