Page:Redemption, a Poem.djvu/262

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256 KEDEMPTION.

That cleave to this Man's cause, and us contemn. Evil betide him then, who disobeys ; But good to thee, if thy performing pace Keeps equal with thy words and promise giv'n. High shalt thou be exalt, who us subserv'st, With badge emblazoned on thy lofty brow ; Thy fame all peoples learn, all times extend; Be raised too high for envy's keenest shaft, For, none shall envy, none say Would 't were I. Nor this the end be; but, suffice it now The price thou askest shall be amply paid, And more than may be mention'd in the pledge."

Whilst they, demented, thus compact with hell, In words, which Satan had himself inspired, Made firm and sure, innocent blood to shed, The Son of God, and his disciples, sat Around the paschal board, with legal meat, Mosaic rites to close, and institute The New, his grace designed, with flesh and blood, Broken and shed, his own, true paschal Lamb. Rising, the Master now the servant's place Assumes; disrobed, and with a towel girt, The ready bowl, from well-charged ewer fills, And meekly washes his disciples feet, Enjoin'd with precept, by example giv'n, To do to each as he to them had done ; And so pronounced them clean; clean, but not all; For whom he chose, he knew; and so fulfill'd The word's of Isai's son Who eats my bread, Hath spurn'd me with his heel, supplanting me. The rite accomplish' d, and his seat resumed, Peaceful his sacred brow, radiant with light,

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