<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="" class="head">The Tryst</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">Lest</span> that His love should nod asleep,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">His fainting arms fall by His side,</p><p class="line">Lest He forget His tryst to keep,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">One sinner turn away denied,</p><p class="line">Wide on the Cross His arms are spread,</p><p class="line">His bosom for the whole world's head.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Now, now, Himself He will not save,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">His feet are halt for evermore.</p><p class="line">Yea, though they lay Him in the grave</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And seal the stone and guard the door,</p><p class="line">He keeps the place He chose upon</p><p class="line">The Hill: His anguish is not done.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">The nails of Love have fixed Him there,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">He will not take His bed and go.</p><p class="line">His feet are hid in Magdalen's hair;</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Through all the centuries, sad and slow,</p><p class="line">While Heaven awaits Him He delays,</p><p class="line">Love's Prisoner through the unending days.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">He broods above the battle-field,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">His heavy head upon His breast:</p><p class="line">Come, all ye wounded, and be healed.</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Come, all ye broken hearts, and rest.</p><p class="line">Come home, come home, black sheep and white,</p><p class="line">In from the darkness to the light.</p></div></body></html> · Great War