The Three

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Dec 22, 1904

MARY of Nazareth, loving and kind, The mission of Him she bore divined Vaguely and dim, with a wondering mind.

Mary of Bethany, gentle and fair, Gave him what cheer her home could spare, And smiled with the peace of quiet prayer.

Soiled with the dust of the gazing street, Stealing in where he sat at meat, Mary of Magdalene kissed his feet.

Mary the virgin marveled with fear, Mary the listener lent him her ear, But Mary the prodigal faltered near.

Though wonder and loathing filled the place, And Simon counted her touch disgrace, She bent o'er the Master her tear-stained face;

And her wealth of warm, dark hair, unbound, About his feet she wound and wound; Her sobbing was the only sound.

Mary the hostess made him her guest, He had lain on Mary the mother's breast, But the Magdalene's gift was costliest:

She brought her past, its bliss and shame, Strange sins, wild memories fierce as flame— And in her tears was washed from blame!

One sat with patient joy at his side, One stood by the Roman cross where he died, One gave herself and her broken pride.

—Love Triumphant.