Once a woman silent stood br While Jesus sat at meat; br From her eyes she poured a flood br To wash his sacred feet br Shame and wonder, joy and love; br All at once possessed her mind: br That she e'er so vile could prove, br Yet now forgiveness find. br br How came this vile woman here, br Will Jesus notice such? br Sure, if he a prophet were, br He would disdain her touch! br Simon thus, with scornful heart, br Slighted one whom Jesus loved; br But her Saviour took her part, br And thus his pride reproved. br br If two men in debt were bound, br One less, the other more; br Fifty, or five hundred pound, br And both alike were poor; br Should the lender both forgive, br When he saw them both distressed; br Which of them would you believe br Engaged to love him best? br br Surely he who most did owe, br The Pharisee replied; br Then our Lord, by judging so, br Thou dost for her decide: br Simon if like her you knew br How much you forgiveness need; br You like her had acted too, br And welcomed me indeed! br br When the load of sin is felt, br And much forgiveness known; br Then the heart of course will melt, br Though hard before as stone: br Blame not then her love and tears, br Greatly she in debt has been; br But I have removed her fears, br And pardoned all her sin.