40. The Two Debtors

1 Once a woman silent stood,
While Jesus sat at meat;
From her eyes she pour'd a flood,
To wash his sacred feet.
Shame and wonder, joy and love,
All at once possess'd her mind!
That she e'er so vile should prove,
Yet now fogiveness find.

2 "How came this vile woman here?
Will Jesus notice such?
Sure, if he a prophet were,
He would disdain her touch!"
Simon thus, with scornful heart,
Slighted one whom Jesus lov'd,
But her Saviour took her part,
And thus his pride reprov'd.

3 "If two men in debt were bound,
One less, the other more;
Fifty or five hundred pound,
And both alike were poor;
Should the lender both forgive,
When he saw them both distress'd;
Which of them would you believe,
"Engag'd to love him best?"

4 "Surely he who much did owe,"
The Pharisee reply'd;
Then our Lord, "by judging so,
Thou dost for her decide:
Simon, if like her you know,
How much you forgiveness need;
You like her had acted too,
And welcom'd me indeed.

5 "When the load of sin is felt,
And much forgiveness known:
Then the heart of course will melt,
Though hard before as stone:
Blame not then, her love and tears,
Greatly she in debt has been:
But I have remov'd her fears,
And pardon'd all her sin.

6 When I read this woman's case,
Her love and humble zeal;
I confess, with shame of face,
My heart is made of steel.
Much has been forgive to me,
Jesus paid my heavy score,
What a creature I must be,
That I can love no more.

Text Information
First Line: Once a woman silent stood
Title: The Two Debtors
Language: English
Publication Date: 1803
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