Chapter 4 Jesus Carrying his Cross

And, when the barge arrived, and Joseph bare

The wood upon his shoulders, piece by piece,

Up to his shed, Jesus ran by his side,

Yearning for strength to help the aged man

Who tired himself with work all day for him.

But Joseph said: "My child, it is God's will

That I should work for thee until thou art

Of age to help thyself.-Bide thou his time

Which cometh-when thou wilt be strong enough,

And on thy shoulders bear a tree like this."

So, while he spake, he took the last one up,

Settling it with heaved back, fetching his breath.

Then Jesus lifted deep prophetic eyes

Full in the old man's face, but nothing said,

Running still on to open first the door.