St. Sebastian
Reading edition
So beautiful in all thine agony! So radiant in thine infinite despair . . . Oh, delicate mouth, brave eyes, and curled bright hair . . . Oh, lovely body lashed to the rough tree: What brutal fools were those that gave to thee Red roses of thine outraged blood to wear, Laughed at thy bitter pain and loathed the fair Bruised flower of thy victorious purity? Marvellous Beauty . . . target of the world, How all Love’s arrows seek thy joy, Oh Sweet! And wound the white perfection of thy youth! How all the poisoned spears of hate are hurled Against thy sorrow when thou darest to meet With martyrdom men’s mockery of the truth!