The Fourth Shepherd

(For Thomas Walsh)

  I

On nights like this the huddled sheep
 Are like white clouds upon the grass,
And merry herdsmen guard their sleep
 And chat and watch the big stars pass.

It is a pleasant thing to lie
 Upon the meadow on the hill
With kindly fellowship near by
 Of sheep and men of gentle will.

I lean upon my broken crook
 And dream of sheep and grass and men --
O shameful eyes that cannot look
 On any honest thing again!

On bloody feet I clambered down
 And fled the wages of my sin,
I am the leavings of the town,
 And meanly serve its meanest inn.

I tramp the courtyard stones in grief,
 While sleep takes man and beast to her.
And every cloud is calling "Thief!"
 And every star calls "Murderer!"

  II

The hand of God is sure and strong,
 Nor shall a man forever flee
The bitter punishment of wrong.
 The wrath of God is over me!

With ashen bread and wine of tears
 Shall I be solaced in my pain.
I wear through black and endless years
 Upon my brow the mark of Cain.

  III

Poor vagabond, so old and mild,
 Will they not keep him for a night?
And She, a woman great with child,
 So frail and pitiful and white.

Good people, since the tavern door
 Is shut to you, come here instead.
See, I have cleansed my stable floor
 And piled fresh hay to make a bed.

Here is some milk and oaten cake.
 Lie down and sleep and rest you fair,
Nor fear, O simple folk, to take
 The bounty of a child of care.

  IV

On nights like this the huddled sheep --
 I never saw a night so fair.
How huge the sky is, and how deep!
 And how the planets flash and glare!

At dawn beside my drowsy flock
 What winged music I have heard!
But now the clouds with singing rock
 As if the sky were turning bird.

O blinding Light, O blinding Light!
 Burn through my heart with sweetest pain.
O flaming Song, most loudly bright,
 Consume away my deadly stain!

  V

The stable glows against the sky,
 And who are these that throng the way?
My three old comrades hasten by
 And shining angels kneel and pray.

The door swings wide -- I cannot go --
 I must and yet I dare not see.
Lord, who am I that I should know --
 Lord, God, be merciful to me!

  VI

O Whiteness, whiter than the fleece
 Of new-washed sheep on April sod!
O Breath of Life, O Prince of Peace,
 O Lamb of God, O Lamb of God!