English poem
(Air.--Stevenson.)
by Thomas Moore
Were not the sinful Mary's tears An offering worthy Heaven, When, o'er the faults of former years, She wept--and was forgiven?
When, bringing every balmy sweet Her day of luxury stored, She o'er her Saviour's hallowed feet The precious odors poured;-- And wiped them with that golden hair, Where once the diamond shone; Tho' now those gems of grief were there Which shine for GOD alone!
Were not those sweets, so humbly shed-- That hair--those weeping eyes-- And the sunk heart, that inly bled-- Heaven's noblest sacrifice?
Thou that hast slept in error's sleep, Oh, would'st thou wake in Heaven, Like Mary kneel, like Mary weep, "Love much" and be forgiven!
"Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much."--St. Luke, vii.47.
AS DOWN IN THE SUNLESS RETREATS.