The Disciple

He that hath a Gospel
  To loose upon Mankind,
Though he serve it utterly —  
  Body, soul and mind —  
Though he go to Calvary
  Daily for its gain —  
It is His Disciple
  Shall make his labour vain. 

He that hath a Gospel
  For all earth to own —  
Though he etch it on the steel,
  Or carve it on the stone —  
Not to be misdoubted
  Through the after-days —  
It is His Disciple
  Shall read it many ways. 

It is His Disciple
  (Ere Those Bones are dust)
Who shall change the Charter,
  Who shall split the Trust —  
Amplify distinctions,
  Rationalize the Claim;
Preaching that the Master
  Would have done the same. 

It is His Disciple
  Who shall tell us how
Much the Master would have scrapped
  Had he lived till now —  
What he would have modified
  Of what he said before.
It is His Disciple
  Shall do this and more.... 

He that hath a Gospel
  Whereby Heaven is won
(Carpenter, or cameleer,
  Or Maya's dreaming son),
Many swords shall pierce Him,
  Mingling blood with gall;
But His Own Disciple
  Shall wound Him worst of all!

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