The Look/The Meaning of the Look
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| (The Denial Of Peter by Andrei Mironov) |
THE SAVIOUR looked on Peter. Ay, no word,
No gesture of reproach; the Heavens serene
Though heavy with armed justice, did not lean
Their thunders that way: the forsaken Lord
Looked only on the traitor. None record
What that look was, none guess; for those who have seen
Wronged lovers loving through a death-pang keen,
Or pale-cheeked martyrs smiling to a sword,
Have missed Jehovah at the judgment-call.
And Peter, from the height of blasphemy—
“I never knew this man”—did quail and fall,
As knowing straight THAT GOD; and turnëd free
And went out speechless from the face of all,
And filled the silence, weeping, bitterly.
~Elizabeth Barrett Browning
I THINK that look of Christ might seem to say—
‘Thou Peter! art thou then a common stone
Which I at last must break my heart upon,
For all God’s charge to His high angels may
Guard my foot better? Did I yesterday
Wash thy feet, my beloved, that they should run
Quick to deny me ’neath the morning sun?
And do thy kisses, like the rest, betray?
The cock crows coldly.—Go, and manifest
A late contrition, but no bootless fear!
For when thy final need is dreariest,
Thou shalt not be denied, as I am here;
My voice to God and angels shall attest,
Because I KNOW this man, let him be clear.’
~Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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