'My blood is drink indeed.' <br />-John vi. 55. <br /> <br /> <br />When Asia's mighty conqueror died, <br />His followers shared his realm: <br />Yet, O how soon did ruin's tide <br />Them and their thrones o'erwhelm! <br /> <br /> <br />Had every monarch from his throne <br />By Jesus' arm been hurled; <br />Had he, the conqueror, held alone <br />The sceptre of the world;- <br /> <br /> <br />Had his Apostles shared the globe; <br />Had all the Orient gems, <br />That deck the royal Persian's robe, <br />Blazed on their diadems;- <br /> <br /> <br />Throned on the Egyptian's pyramid, <br />Old Time had seen their power <br />All crumble, as the Grecian's did, <br />And wither like a flower. <br /> <br /> <br />This Jesus knew; and, ere the thorns <br />Around his head were pressed, <br />The banquet which this board adorns <br />He spread for all, and blessed. <br /> <br /> <br />Then gave he gems of hope to shine <br />Around this goblet's brim; <br />Then dropped a pearl into this wine,- <br />The Memory of Him.<br /><br />John Pierpont<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/hymns-for-communion-vii/
