_Verbum inter spinas._ Luc. viii. 7.
Saepe Dei verbum sentes cadit inter, et atrum
Miscet spina procax, ah, male juncta! latus.
Credo quidem: nam sic spinas, ah, scilicet inter
Ipse Deus verbum tu quoque, Christe, cadis.
_The Word among thorns._
Often and often 'good words' fall
Where thorns and briars rankly crawl;
Their spines lay hold, and choke, and pierce--
Like to wild beast in hunger fierce.
I know it: for like flash of sword
I read 'twas so with Thee THE WORD:
God, e'en my God, Thou wast in truth;
But fell'st 'mong thorns, which show'd no ruth. G.