“What means this throng?” a blind man said,
    Whilst begging by the highway side;
    Begging and blind, and lacking bread,
    His ears discern the living tide. 
    “Jesus of Nazareth passeth by,”
    Was answered.  Had he heard aright? 
    Oh, was the heavenly healer nigh,
    He who could give the blind their sight? 
    “Jesus, have mercy!” lo, he cried,
    “Oh, son of David, pity me!”
    And when the jeering crowd deride,
    His accents form a clearer plea. 
    Jesus stood still.  A kindly voice
    Bade him good cheer—­“He calleth thee.” 
    Thus must his lonely heart rejoice,
    “He thinks of me; yes, even me!”
    Bartimaeus found the Living Light
    Who asked and granted his request. 
    His blinded eyes received their sight;
    With joy he followed with the rest. 
    How oft when Jesus passes by,
    The heart-blind hear but don’t perceive,
    Else how they would for mercy cry
    Ere Christ their Lord should take his leave! 
    Like him of whom this story’s told
    They’d pray, “Lord Jesus, pity me!”
    And find his power and love could fold
    Them here and in eternity.

ZACCHAEUS

Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.—­Luke 19:1-10.

    City of palms! whose ancient name
      Suggests a line of scarlet hue,
    Type of thy glorious Guest who came
      And passed with crowds thy borders through,
    Did aught foretell that on that day,
      The Lord of life would favor thee,
    And centuries ring the novel way
      A soul was made both glad and free?

    Zacchaeus knew that through thy gates
      Came One he oft had longed to see;
    Alas! how adverse were the fates—­
      So dense the throng, so small was he! 
    Considering, he ran before
      And climbed into a wayside tree,
    And ever since the sycamore
      Is blended with his history.

    While peering eagerly below,
      Above the tumult of the town
    That soothing voice to mortal woe
      Bade him to hasten quickly down. 
    “Come,” Jesus said, “I must abide
      And tarry at thy house with thee.” 
    Zacchaeus the honor swift applied,
      And entertained him joyfully.

    The people frowned that Christ should dine
      With a rich sinner publican,
    Nor knew his act of grace would shine,
      A star of hope, to fallen man. 
    Zacchaeus assured his royal guest,
      “Lord, half my goods I give the poor;
    And if I falsely have opprest,
      Fourfold I unto men restore.”

    His listener reads the human heart
      And all its thoughts unerringly;
    Alone such wisdom can impart
      And judge of its sincerity. 
    Jesus received this sin-sick soul,
      Salvation to his house was given;
    And while time’s cycles onward roll,
      His faith and works will point toward heaven.