The Poetry Corner

The Two Sayings

By Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Two savings of the Holy Scriptures beat Like pulses in the Church's brow and breast; And by them we find rest in our unrest And, heart deep in salt-tears, do yet entreat God's fellowship as if on heavenly seat. The first is Jesus wept, whereon is prest Full many a sobbing face that drops its best And sweetest waters on the record sweet: And one is where the Christ, denied and scorned Looked upon Peter. Oh, to render plain By help of having loved a little and mourned, That look of sovran love and sovran pain Which He, who could not sin yet suffered, turned On him who could reject but not sustain!