The Legend of Mary Magdalen. Her sins are forgiven her, for she loved much. "T WAS within a Hebrew palace, From her alabaster chalice Magdalen the ointment poured. Even than the costly ointment, Humbly weeping, humbly loving, Meck she kneeled beside Him there: Tears and perfume both removing With her soft and clustering hair. But there wakened thoughts of evil In the minds of the Eleven; And the first to scorn or cavil Spake the traitor-cursed of Heaven: 494 LEGEND OF MARY MAGDALEN. "How much better were this ointment "Vended, and the money given 66 Thinking, "'T would my store increase: But when JESU looked, He loved her, Doth she here before Me bow, But it is for mine interment That she thus anoints Me now." Who doth love shall be forgiven; To the asker all is granted; Rest for evermore. 495 LEGEND OF MARY MAGDALEN. Lamb of GOD! Our Priest and Pastor, Who canst bid all evil cease, Ever dear and holy Master, Make our feeble love increase! So that when we seek Thee, owning Mayest speak from thine enthronement C. Donald M'Leod The Woman of Samaria. OH! woman of olden Samaria! tell What the stranger of Galilee said at the well, When he paused and sat down all alone by the way With his holy lips parched, like the summer-dried clay. "I will tell you the words of the sage that I saw, When I went to the well the bright waters to draw, Where the stones are all mossy and green at the side, And the life cheering drops so delightfully glide. "Alone with my jar, ere the blaze of high noon, "At the verge of the fountain I stood, and, behold, "He asked for a drink from the pitcher I bore, THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA. "He told then of waters that flowed for the soul, "He said that salvation was born of the Jews, "He said in these mountains our worship should cease, And Jerusalem's glory forget to increase ; That GOD was a spirit to love and adore, Whom in spirit and truth we must seek and implore. "And, with countenance looking celestially calm, "Oh! beautiful sight, on those features to gaze, For the wonder and love of the sky-viewing world! He told me of things that I deemed were unknown, As it bowed to his will, and confessed his control. 497 |