TELL PETER

Peter, it was not outward cold

But inward chill thy bosom froze,

Made thee deny with falsehood bold

Thy Lord and Master to his foes.

When we find cheer at Satan's fires

The world is there to work us harm,

To deaden all our pure desires

With its deceitful lure and charm.

Peter, the voice of chanticleer

Fulfilled what Christ had prophesied;

And oh, that pitying look sincere

From him whom thou hadst just denied!

Thy burst of penitential grief!

Heaven those tears did surely send.

Tears give the burdened heart relief;

Dry anguish may its tendrils rend.

Sin soon will crucify our Lord,

Thy sin, and all the world's beside.

He gave himself, the Living Word,

Our shelter from God's wrath to hide.

Had all the seraphs pens to write

Such love upon the boundless sky,

Angelic powers could not indite

Its greatness while the ages fly.

The hour is hastening. God has willed

That Christ should through his own decree

Abolish death and have fulfilled

Our blood-bought immortality.

And when the awful tomb he rent,

When freed from every earthly thrall,

“Tell Peter” was the message sent;

“Tell Peter” —‘ tis love's tender call.

Peter was martyr to his faith;

His rock, God's son whom he denied;

This faith the key that unlocks death

To realms where joy and peace abide.

“Tell Peter!” Honey drops of love,

Awaking all the choirs of heaven!

“Tell Peter” — angels from above

Shout, “Hear, O earth, and be forgiven!”