Poetry Archives

When the poor, erring woman sought
    In tears the Master’s feet,
  Her breast, with deep contrition fraught,
    Repentance, full, complete,
  Divine compassion filled His eyes,
    He spake, says Sacred Lore,—
“O, erring heart, forgiven, rise,
    Go, thou, and sin no more.”

  The tear of contrite sorrow, shed
    By penitence, cast down,
  Shall flash, when solar rays have fled,
    In an eternal crown;
  That tear shall scintillate, and shine,
    When comets cease to soar;
  If thou would’st wear that gem divine,
Go, thou, and sin no more!