THE QUESTION.
"Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee."—John xxi. 15.
Lord, didst Thou turn Thine eyes
On me, and speak upon this solemn shore
The words that wounded with a keen surprise
Thine erring, loving servant, grieved the more
That love, as doubtful of its own, should seek
To put it thrice to proof; I could but speak
With Him; I could but say 'Below, above
Thou knowest all,—Thou knowest that I love."
But canst Thou say with Her,
The Bride of ancient Song, "My soul hath found
Him whom it only loveth? wilt Thou stir
And quit me now for these that stand around—
Am I more dear than these?" I answer, Yea,
Than each, than all more dear! I could not stray
From Thee, O Shepherd, skilled with silver sound
Of voice and hand attuned, thy flock to please
And lure them o'er the mountains, knowing best
Beside what streams, beneath what spreading trees
To solace them, to give their wanderings rest;
The Bride of ancient Song, "My soul hath found
Him whom it only loveth? wilt Thou stir
And quit me now for these that stand around—
Am I more dear than these?" I answer, Yea,
Than each, than all more dear! I could not stray
From Thee, O Shepherd, skilled with silver sound
Of voice and hand attuned, thy flock to please
And lure them o'er the mountains, knowing best
Beside what streams, beneath what spreading trees
To solace them, to give their wanderings rest;
