On A Picture In Rome Poem by Alec de Candole

('The Crucifixion,' by Guido Reni, in S. Lorenzo
in Lucina).


AND so He died, alone. The eddying night
Of utmost dark that whelmed Him, when the cry
Exceeding bitter ascended up on high
Of one that dies abandoned of the light,
Seized on His spirit's fierce and desolate fight;
'Ah, why hast Thou forsaken me, oh why,
My God? ' Despairing so He seemed to die;
Yet still His Church adores Him in the height.
Ev'n so. And we, too, by His grace, have known
The fierce and bitter joy of sacrifice
From Him, who at such all unmeasured price
Of blood and riving pain, to man hath shown
The love of God ; therefore in all men's eyes
Was lifted up. And so He died, alone.