(Indicative of the Passion of the People <br />on the 15th Day of April, 1865) <br />* * * <br /> <br />Good Friday was the day <br />Of the prodigy and crime, <br />When they killed him in his pity, <br />When they killed him in his prime <br />Of clemency and calm- <br />When with yearning he was filled <br />To redeem the evil-willed, <br />And, though conqueror, be kind; <br />But they killed him in his kindness, <br />In their madness and their blindness, <br />And they killed him from behind. <br /> <br />There is sobbing of the strong, <br />And a pall upon the land; <br />But the People in their weeping <br />Bare the iron hand; <br />Beware the People weeping <br />When they bare the iron hand. <br /> <br />He lieth in his blood- <br />The father in his face; <br />They have killed him, the Forgiver- <br />The Avenger takes his place, <br />The Avenger wisely stern, <br />Who in righteousness shall do <br />What the heavens call him to, <br />And the parricides remand; <br />For they killed him in his kindness, <br />In their madness and their blindness, <br />And his blood is on their hand. <br /> <br />There is sobbing of the strong, <br />And a pall upon the land; <br />But the People in their weeping <br />Bare the iron hand; <br />Beware the People weeping <br />When they bare the iron hand.<br /><br />Herman Melville<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-martyr-9/
