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Mountain Spring and Other Poems

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<h2>TELL PETER</h2> And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself.—John 18:25. <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> Peter, it was not outward cold But inward chill thy bosom froze, Made thee deny with falsehood bold Thy Lord and Master to his foes. When we find cheer at Satan's fires The world is there to work us harm, To deaden all our pure desires With its deceitful lure and charm. </div> <div class="stanza"> Peter, the voice of chanticleer Fulfilled what Christ had prophesied; And oh, that pitying look sincere From him whom thou hadst just denied! Thy burst of penitential grief! Heaven those tears did surely send. Tears give the burdened heart relief; Dry anguish may its tendrils rend. </div> <div class="stanza"> Sin soon will crucify our Lord, Thy sin, and all the world's beside. He gave himself, the Living Word, Our shelter from God's wrath to hide. Had all the seraphs pens to write Such love upon the boundless sky, Angelic powers could not indite Its greatness while the ages fly. </div> <div class="stanza"> The hour is hastening. God has willed That Christ should through his own decree Abolish death and have fulfilled Our blood-bought immortality. And when the awful tomb he rent, When freed from every earthly thrall, "Tell Peter" was the message sent; "Tell Peter"—'tis love's tender call. </div> <div class="stanza"> Peter was martyr to his faith; His rock, God's son whom he denied; This faith the key that unlocks death To realms where joy and peace abide. "Tell Peter!" Honey drops of love, Awaking all the choirs of heaven! "Tell Peter"—angels from above Shout, "Hear, O earth, and be forgiven!" </div> </div> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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