14
CHRISTINA.
Held other counsel, minded in itself
That I would look upon her face no more;
Though all my soul clave unto her, as he
From whom our Lord drave out the vexing demon,
Had followed fain upon his steps for ever,
So had I tarried by her well content;
And yet I answered her, "Entreat me not,
This may not be, yet fear not thou for me;
I go upon my way, that crosses thine
Perchance no more; so give me counsel now
Upon my journey, for, as thou hast said,
The home I seek is far away, the road
Is strait and narrow, hard for erring feet
Like mine to walk in." Then Christina said,
"I can but give thee counsel in the words
Of Him our Master, 'Go and sin no more!'
Keep in the Way, and as thou goest, there
A Blessing will o'ertake thee; thou shalt meet
With One to pour within thy wounds the wine
And oil of consolation; He will set thee
On His own steed, and bring thee to an inn
Where thou may'st tarry till He comes again;
Yea! all thou spend est more He will account for,
For thou wert purchased and redeemed of old:
Now must I leave thee, for the night wears on."
But still I held her closer, "Not before
I too have blessed thee, even I, Christina;
May now the blessing of a soul wellnigh
To perishing be on thee! may thy love
Be poured, a thousandfold by God requited,
That I would look upon her face no more;
Though all my soul clave unto her, as he
From whom our Lord drave out the vexing demon,
Had followed fain upon his steps for ever,
So had I tarried by her well content;
And yet I answered her, "Entreat me not,
This may not be, yet fear not thou for me;
I go upon my way, that crosses thine
Perchance no more; so give me counsel now
Upon my journey, for, as thou hast said,
The home I seek is far away, the road
Is strait and narrow, hard for erring feet
Like mine to walk in." Then Christina said,
"I can but give thee counsel in the words
Of Him our Master, 'Go and sin no more!'
Keep in the Way, and as thou goest, there
A Blessing will o'ertake thee; thou shalt meet
With One to pour within thy wounds the wine
And oil of consolation; He will set thee
On His own steed, and bring thee to an inn
Where thou may'st tarry till He comes again;
Yea! all thou spend est more He will account for,
For thou wert purchased and redeemed of old:
Now must I leave thee, for the night wears on."
But still I held her closer, "Not before
I too have blessed thee, even I, Christina;
May now the blessing of a soul wellnigh
To perishing be on thee! may thy love
Be poured, a thousandfold by God requited,
