He that hath a Gospel

To loose upon Mankind,

Though he serve it utterly --

Body, soul and mind --

Though he go to Calvary

Daily for its gain --

It is His Disciple

Shall make his labour vain.

He that hath a Gospel

For all earth to own --

Though he etch it on the steel,

Or carve it on the stone --

Not to be misdoubted

Through the after-days --

It is His Disciple

Shall read it many ways.

It is His Disciple

(Ere Those Bones are dust )

Who shall change the Charter,

Who shall split the Trust --

Amplify distinctions,

Rationalize the Claim;

Preaching that the Master

Would have done the same.

It is His Disciple

Who shall tell us how

Much the Master would have scrapped

Had he lived till now --

What he would have modified

Of what he said before.

It is His Disciple

Shall do this and more....

He that hath a Gospel

Whereby Heaven is won

(Carpenter, or cameleer,

Or Maya's dreaming son),

Many swords shall pierce Him,

Mingling blood with gall;

But His Own Disciple

Shall wound Him worst of all!