What Christ Said

George MacDonald

I said, “Let me walk in the fields.”

He said, “No, walk in the town.”

I said, “There are no flowers there.”

He said, “No flowers, but a crown.”

I said, “But the sky is black;

There is nothing but noise and din.”

But He wept as He sent me back:

“There is more, He said, ”there is sin.”

I said, “But the air is thick,

And fogs are veiling the sun.”

He answered, “Yet hearts are sick,

And souls in the dark undone.”

I said, “I shall miss the light,

And friends will miss me, they say.”

He answered me, “Choose to-night,

If I am to miss you or they.”

I pleaded for time to be given.

He said, “Is it hard to decide?

It will not seem hard in heaven

To have followed the steps of your Guide.”

I cast one look at the fields,

Then set me face to the town:

He said, “My child, do you yield?

Will you leave the flowers for the crown?”

Then into His hand went mine,

And into my heart came He;

And I walk in a light divine

The path I had feared to see.