[Holy Week]: #21; Beneath the Cross

Beneath the Cross of Jesus,
  I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty rock
  Within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness,
  A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat,
  And the burden of the day.

Upon the Cross of Jesus,
  Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One
  Who suffered there for me.
And from my smitten heart, with tears,
  Two wonders I confess,--
The wonder of His glorious love,
  And my unworthiness.

I take, O Cross, thy shadow
  For my abiding-place;
I ask no other sunshine than
  The sunshine of His face:
Content to let the world go by,
  To know no gain nor loss,
My sinful self my only shame,
  My glory all, the Cross.

--Elizabeth Cecilia Clephane, 1830-1869