‘Where are you going, Judas,

With that rope in your hand?’

To scatter what God will not forgive

To the dark wind and the sand.’

‘Why is your purse empty, Judas,

Dangling light and loose?’

‘Silver I had; but all earth’s gold

Could not ransom Him from the Jews.’

‘Could you not cry for mercy, Judas?

His kindness has no scope.’

‘The kindest things that I shall find Are a tall tree and a rope.’

‘Oh fool! fool! Even this sin, Judas,

He will pardon from His cross.’

‘The death that saves all other men Is my eternal loss.’

‘Wait, and you shall see Him risen, Judas.’

‘His eyes would be to me a rod—

For I have betrayed an innocent man.’

‘Nay, Judas, only a God.’

Theodore Maynard.