Poem by George MacDonald

The Gospel Women. 7. The Woman Who Came behind Him in the Crowd

  Near him she stole, rank after rank;
      She feared approach too loud;
  She touched his garment's hem, and shrank
      Back in the sheltering crowd.

  A shame-faced gladness thrills her frame:
      Her twelve years' fainting prayer
  Is heard at last! she is the same
      As other women there!

  She hears his voice. He looks about.
      Ah! is it kind or good
  To drag her secret sorrow out
      Before that multitude?

  The eyes of men she dares not meet--
      On her they straight must fall!--
  Forward she sped, and at his feet
      Fell down, and told him all.

  To the one refuge she hath flown,
      The Godhead's burning flame!
  Of all earth's women she alone
      Hears there the tenderest name:

  "Daughter," he said, "be of good cheer;
      Thy faith hath made thee whole:"
  With plenteous love, not healing mere,
      He comforteth her soul.

1. A Memorial of Africa
2. Concerning Jesus
3. The Gospel Women. 1. The Mother Mary
4. The Gospel Women. 13. The Woman in the Temple
5. The Gospel Women. 3. The Mother of Zebedee's Children

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