n and danced, she pleased
Herod and those who sat at meat with him; and the king said unto the
maiden, "Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee."

And he swore unto her, "Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give
it thee, unto the half of my kingdom."

And she went out, and said unto her mother, "What shall I ask?"

And she said, "The head of John the Baptist."

And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked,
saying, "I wish that thou forthwith give me in a platter the head of
John the Baptist."

And the king was exceeding sorry; but for the sake of his promises,
and of those who sat and feasted with him, he would not reject her.
And straightway the king sent forth a soldier of his guard, and
commanded to bring the head of John: and he went and beheaded him in
the prison, and brought his head in a platter, and gave it to the
maiden; and the maiden gave it to her mother. And when his disciples
heard thereof, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a
tomb.

{155}

O LOVE DIVINE

O Love Divine, that stooped to share
Our sharpest pang, our bitterest tear,
On Thee we cast each earth-born care:
We smile at pain while Thou art near.

Though long the weary way we tread,
And sorrow crown each lingering year;
No path we shun, no darkness dread,
Our hearts still whispering, Thou art near!

When drooping pleasure turns to grief,
And trembling faith is changed to fear;
The murmuring wind, the quivering leaf,
Shall softly tell us, Thou art near!

On Thee we fling our burdening woe,
O Love Divine, for ever dear;
Content to suffer, while we know,
Living and dying, Thou art near!
--_Oliver Wendell Holmes_.

{156}

O MASTER, LET ME WALK WITH THEE

O Master, let me walk with Thee
In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me Thy secret; help me bear
The strain of toil, the fret of care.

Help me the slow of heart to move
By some clear winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay,
And guide them in the homeward way.

Teach me Thy patience! still with Thee
In closer, dearer company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
In trust that triumphs over wrong;

In hope that sends a shining ray
Far down the future's broadening way;
In peace that only Thou canst give,
With Thee, O Master, let me live!
--_Washi