Where Dwellest Thou?

ANNE H. BROGAN

The loved disciple tells the gentle tale
Of how the Baptist stood one golden day,
And Jesus passed.
Behold the Lamb of God,
The Baptist cried, for this is he that takes
Away the sins of all the world; the one
That coming after me is yet preferred
Before me and I knew not! Jesus passed,
But came again another day where John
Was standing, and his two disciples near.
Behold the Lamb of God, the chosen one,
That takes away the sins of all the world!

The two disciples heard, then turned about
And followed Jesus as he walked along.
Soon turned the Master; then he gently asked,
What seek ye? So, with quickened breath, the two
Disciples asked, emboldened by his mien,
The question trembling on their lips that day,
Where dwellest thou, O Rabbi, Master? Then
The Master smiling said, Come ye and see.

They came, the loved disciple says, to where
He dwelt; and there with him throughout the day
Abode. O holy hour! O golden day!
This question down through all the years between
Still trembles in our seeking hearts to-day.
Master, where dwellest thou? we ask; and he
Again replies to us: Come ye and see.
I dwell in Spirit, and I bid you come
Where I abide in peace and joy and love.
Put ye aside these phantoms of the flesh,
These toys that bind ye fast and bid ye stay.
The way to travel I have walked for you,
Oh, come, ye weary, and abide with me.