XVI
Mary Magdalen
O eyes that strip the souls of men!
There came to me the Magdalen.
Her blue robe with a cord was bound,
Her hair with Lenten lilies crowned.
"Arise," she said, "God calls for thee:
Turned to new paths thy feet must be.
Leave the fever and the feast,
Leave the friends thou lovest best.
For thou must walk in barefoot ways
To give my dear Lord Jesus praise."
Then answered I—"Sweet Magdalen,
God's servant, once beloved of men,
Why didst thou change old ways for new,
Thy trailing red for corded blue,
Roses for lilies on thy brow,
Rich splendour for a barren vow?"
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