White Brother

Midway between the flaming lines he lay, A tumbled heap of blood, and sweat, and clay; --God's son!

And none could succour him. First this one tried, Then that ... and then another ... and they died; --God's sons!

Those others saw his plight, and laughed and jeered, And, at each helper's fall, laughed more, and cheered; --God's sons?

So, through the torture of an endless day, In agonies that none could ease, he lay; --God's son!

Then, as he wrestled for each hard-won breath, Bleeding his life out, craving only death;-- --God's son!

--Came One in white, athwart the fiery hail, And in His hand, a shining cup--The Grail; --God's Son!

He knelt beside him on the reeking ground, And with a touch soothed each hot-throbbing wound; --God's Son!

Gave him to drink, and in his failing ear Whispered sweet words of comfort and good cheer; --God's Son!

The suffering one looked up into the face Of Him whose death to sinners brought God's grace; --God's Son!

The tender brow with unhealed wounds was scarred, The hand that held The Cup, the nails had marred; --God's Son!

"Brother, for thee I suffered greater woes; As I forgave,--do thou forgive thy foes, --God's son!"

"Yea, Lord, as Thou forgavest, I forgive; And now, my soul unto Thyself receive, --God's Son!"

Thick-clustered in the battered trench, amazed, They gazed at that strange sight ... and gazed ... and gazed; --God's sons!

--The Christ of God, come down to succour one Of their own number,--their own mate-- --God's son!

And none who saw that sight will e'er forget How once, upon the field of death, they met --God's Son.