The Magdalen

He flaunted recklessly along, With hollow laugh and mocking song;

In tawdry garb and painted mirth, The sorrowfulest thing on earth.

Time runs apace: the fleeting years Left but her misery and her tears.

The very brothel-door was barred Against a wretch so crook'd and marred.

She knocked at every gate in vain, The cast-out harlot black with stain--

At all save one,--when this she tried,-- 'T was His, the High Priest crucified.

He heard her tears, flung wide His door And said, "Come in, and sin no more."