(p. 51)

 

14.

 

THE MARIES

 

            CLOSE to the cross, where crucified,

            The LORD of glory hung and died,

            Two women watching side by side

                        In deepest sorrow stood.

 

            The one, a virgin, chaste and mild,

            The other, once by sin defiled,

            Now to her Maker reconciled

                        Through CHRIST’S redeeming blood.

 

            Mary, the good and innocent;

            And Magdalen the penitent,

            Her lowly eyes in anguish bent

                        Upon the bloodstained sod.

 

            These two were privileged to be

            Witnesses of His agony,

            Who bore for us upon the tree

                        The anger of His GOD.

 

(p. 52)

            So now by this same LORD’S command,

            Pure love, and penitence may stand

            Like these, together, hand in hand

                        Beside the holy rood.

 

            And He who died for sinful men,

            Who pardoned Mary Magdalen,

            Will pardon now as He did then

                        All those who pardon would.

 

            Beneath His cross there still is rest

            For all the guilty and distressed,

            And weary ones with woes oppressed,

                        He soothes, for He is good.

 

            Haste then, with Magdalen to fly

            To the dear cross of Calvary,

            For you the SAVIOUR deigned to die,

                        For you He shed His blood.

 

            The guilty soul, the burdened mind,

            Pardon and comfort there may find,

            And leave their sins and griefs behind,

                        Nailed to the sacred wood.

 

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