Ashen Cross Traced On Brow

ASH WEDNESDAY.

To the Rev. Father Strapping S.J.

Ashen cross traced on brow !
Iron cross hid in breast!
Have power, bring, patience, now :
Bid passion be at rest.

O sad, dear, days of Lent!
Now lengthen your gray hours :
If so we may repent,
Before the time of flowers.

Majestical, austere,

The sanctuaries look stern :

All silent! all severe !

Save were the lone lamps burn.

Imprisoned mere above
The world's indifferency:
Still waits Eternal Love,
With wounds from Calvary.

Come ! mourning companies;
Come ! to sad Christ draw near :
Come ! sin's confederacies ;
Lay down your malice here.

Here is the healing place,
And here the place of peace:
Sorrow is sweet with grace
Here, and here sin hath cease.

Link (here) to the poem written by Lionel Pigot Johnson written in the year 1893