Sonnets - Sympathy

“JESUS WEPT”—John, Chap. XI, 35.
                                   I.
Great is the greatly loving heart, and warm
     With its own love, and burning with a zeal
     What in itself is Godlike, to reveal,—
And what in all;—it doeth the more conform
Unto his like who “Tempers the rough storm
     To the shorn lamb.”—Though words cannot unseal
     Its garnered wealth—the love which it can feel—
That living sense unuttered shall not die,
     It hath a language known and read of all,
In the warm teardrop and the eloquent eye
Whose kindly glances rest most pityingly
     On the pale form of Sorrow’s pining thrall,—
Making the heavy heart grow light again,—
As trampled showers revive in sunshine and soft rain.

                                   II.
Thou hast a heart, O Man, and wherefore smother
     Its holiest feelings with unholy pride,
     Or scorn the sigh to suffering sanctified?
Beware! nor mar what in thee is the mother
Of pure thoughts and high deeds, and makes thee brother
     To all mankind and Christ the Crucified—
     Love, world-embracing and creation-wide.
Hide not the tear which falls for human wo,
     Nor quench the flame by generous feeling lit:
Blest is the gem, and blest thy bosom’s glow
To raise the soul in sorrow buried low.
     And from Despair’s dark shroud to ransom it
Know ere from Death’s embraces Lazarus leapt
O’er his cold couch and clay, all=pitying “Jesus wept.”