The Two Sayings

By Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Two sayings of the Holy Scriptures beat
Like pulses, in the church's brow and breast;
And, by them, we find rest in our unrest,
And, heart-deep in salt tears, do yet entreat
God's fellowship, as if on Heavenly seat.
The first is JESUS WEPT, -- whereon is prest
Full many a sobbing face that drops its best
And sweetest waters on the record sweet: --
And one is, where the Christ denied and scorned
LOOKED UPON PETER. Oh, to render plain,
By help of having loved a little, and mourned, --
That look of sovran love and sovran pain,
Which He who could not sin, yet suffered, turned
On him who could reject, but not sustain!