| W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895. | | | | The Woman of Samaria | | George MacDonald (1824–1905) |
| | | IN the hot noon, for water cool, | |
| She strayed in listless mood: | |
| When back she ran, her pitcher full | |
| Forgot behind her stood. | |
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| Like one who followed straying sheep, | 5 |
| A weary man she saw, | |
| Who sat upon the well so deep, | |
| And nothing had to draw. | |
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| “Give me to drink,” he said. Her hand | |
| Was ready with reply; | 10 |
| From out the old well of the land | |
| She drew him plenteously. | |
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| He spake as never man before; | |
| She stands with open ears; | |
| He spake of holy days in store, | 15 |
| Laid bare the vanished years. | |
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| She cannot still her throbbing heart; | |
| She hurries to the town, | |
| And cries aloud in street and mart, | |
| “The Lord is here: come down.” | 20 |
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| Her life before was strange and sad, | |
| Its tale a dreary sound: | |
| Ah! let it go—or good or bad, | |
| She has the Master found. | | | | |
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