  THEN Jesus said, “I thirst”, and there was one Who filled a spunge, and put it to His mouth— An unknown Roman soldier—his the joy In the three hours to quench that sacred drouth. They had been dicing, and the seamless coat Had fallen to him. Now the thick darkness came Over the land. He watched the Crucified Wondering, in doubt, this soldier without name. “Bacchus! The Jew knew how to die. The nails Were blunt. He neither railed nor cursed. Even the sturdy thief had called him ‘Lord’”. At the ninth hour there came the cry, “I thirst”. The Roman held the vinegar to his lips, And looked with pity on His dying Face. O Unknown Soldier, pray for me to give My love’s poor wine, and give it with such grace. |
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