The Three Traitors

It was about the deep of night,

And still was earth and sky,

When 'neath the moonlight dazzling bright,

Three ghosts came riding by.

Beyond the sea, beyond the sea,

Lie kingdoms for them all:

I wot their steeds trod wearily --

The journey was not small.

By rock and desert, sand and stream,

They footsore late did go:

Now like a sweet and blessed dream

Their path was deep with snow.

Shining like hor-frost, rode they on,

Three ghosts in earth's array:

It was about the hour when wan

Night turns at hint of day.

O, but their hearts with woe distraught

Hailed not the wane of night,

Only for Jesu still they sought

To wash them clean and white.

For bloody was each hand, and dark

With death each orbless eye --

It was three Traitors mute and stark

Came riding silent by.

Silver their raiment and their spurs,

And silver-shod their feet,

And silver-pale each face that stares

Into the moonlight sweet.

And he upon the left that rode

Was Pilate, Prince of Rome,

Whose journey once lay far abroad,

And now was nearing home.

And he upon the right that rode

Herod of Salem sate,

Whose mantle dipped in children's blood

Shone clear as Heaven's gate.

And he these twain betwixt that rode

Was clad as white as wool,

Dyed in the Mercy of his God

White was he crown to sole.

Throned amid a myriad Saints in bliss

Rise shall the Babe of Heaven

To shine on these three ghosts, I wis,

Smit through with sorrows seven.

Babe of the Blessed Trinity

Shall smile their steeds to see:

Herod and Pilate riding by,

And Judas one of three.