Alfred H. Miles, ed. The Sacred Poets of the Nineteenth Century. 1907.
By Psalms and Hymns for the Church (1883). VII. “O silent Night”William Josiah Irons (1812–1883)
O
A few hours since, and Jesus full of grace
Sat with His chosen, blessed the mystic Bread,
And poured the Cup, and joined the Hymn of praise
Where now are they who sat around?—Is John
Tending the lonely Mother in His stead?
Is Judas, who betrayed the Holy One,
“Gone to his place”? and have the rest all fled?
Is Peter weeping?—are “His brethren” gone?
What was that word—“the Shepherd I will smite,
The sheep shall all be scattered far” to-night?—
He saw, He knew it all, and He is Dead.