The Kiss of Judas. Robert Stephen Hawker (1803-1875). W.G. Horder, comp. 1895. The Poets' Bible: New Testament

W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895.

The Kiss of Judas

Robert Stephen Hawker (1803–1875)


HAIL! Master mine! so did the viper hiss,
When, with false fang and stealthy crawl, he came
And scorched Messiah’s cheek with that vile kiss
He deemed would sojourn there—a brand of shame.

Ah, no! not long! for soon, and face to face	5
With his world-shouldering Cross Lord Jesu stood.
All hail! He said; and, with a proud embrace,
Fasten’d the traitor’s kiss to that forgiving wood!