The Comrade

'Father, I gave my gold and gear, Cattle and goods full tale, To save my soul from utter dark: May this at all avail?' 'Son, ere I know what sin was thine Surely I may not say: Yet, for the sake of thy great gifts, Thy Mother Church will pray.' 'Father, a comrade had I once, Yea, truest friend to me; Friends were we when we both were young: He died on the gallows-tree.' 'Son, for the hot in of thy youth Thou shalt be freely shriven: Yea, tho' your friend's soul burn in hell, Thou art indeed forgiven.' 'And if that friend's soul burn in hell, There shall mine burn also: And whither his dear soul hath gone Thither I too would go.' 'Not in the place of souls accurst Shall we two meet again: Surely he hath reward of Thee, O Christ, who died for men!' 'Mine was the neck that should have felt The hangman's rope that day, And mine the feet that should have trod Along the shameful way.' 'All for my sake that death he died And bore the black disgrace, Nor spoke the word should set him free And bind me in his place.' 'He let them bind him hand and foot, Gazing on me the while: No blame in those unfearing eyes And that serenest smile.' 'And when that stainless soul of his Passed upward to God's gate, My manhood that had left me then Came to me all too late.' 'Fain would I have flung aside With one releasing blow, The worthless life he bought with his, - The life I hated so!' 'Yet - that my blame might be atoned From year to bitter year - I, aching for the death I shunned, Lived out my penance here.' 'Somewhere across the lonely stars His spirit wakeneth; And love that gave its life for me Clings to me still in death.' 'I think he listens for my voice All through the seraph-song, And watches by the golden gate, Hoping I come ere long.' 'I thin he waits to welcome me Unto God's glorious aisle, - To greet me with those steadfast eyes And that serenest smile.' 'Would I not give my gold and gear, Yea, unto seven times seven, So I might hope to grasp again My comrade's hand in heaven?'