W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895.

“The Young Ruler”

George Alexander Chadwick (1840–1923)

AND this was all for which thy wealth sufficed,

With a sad heart to turn away from Christ,

To gaze on splendours with a secret pain,

To toss upon thy gorgeous couch in vain—

Fevered and sleepless for the words He said,

Who had not where to lay His tranquil head—

Now in the darkness flame His eyes, who saw

Thro’ all thy virtues that undreamed-of flaw,

And the calm voice thou never shalt forget

Tells in the silence what thou lackest yet:—

Ah, smoother were thy brows, thine eyes less dim,

Hadst thou forsaken all and followed Him.