And now it came to pass, one day,
When in a certain town,
A leper, seeing Jesus, came,
And on his face fell down.
And worshipped, and beseeching Him,
Said : "Lord, if but Thou please,
Thou hast the power to make me clean,
From this most foul disease."
At once the Lord put forth His hand,
And, with a gracious touch,
Said: "It doth please me--be thou clean;"
Thus prayer availeth much.
But Jesus charged him not to tell
The miracle abroad;
But go straightway unto the priest,
And offer gifts to God.
Yet so much more His fame went forth,
And multitudes came near,
That He might heal their sicknesses,
And they His words might hear.
But He stayed in the desert drear
While blazed abroad the news,
Fearing they would proclaim Him King,
And thus provoke the Jews.
After some days He came again
Into Capernaum;
And it was quickly noised abroad
The Master was at home.
