'My blood is drink indeed.' br -John vi. 55. br br br When Asia's mighty conqueror died, br His followers shared his realm: br Yet, O how soon did ruin's tide br Them and their thrones o'erwhelm! br br br Had every monarch from his throne br By Jesus' arm been hurled; br Had he, the conqueror, held alone br The sceptre of the world;- br br br Had his Apostles shared the globe; br Had all the Orient gems, br That deck the royal Persian's robe, br Blazed on their diadems;- br br br Throned on the Egyptian's pyramid, br Old Time had seen their power br All crumble, as the Grecian's did, br And wither like a flower. br br br This Jesus knew; and, ere the thorns br Around his head were pressed, br The banquet which this board adorns br He spread for all, and blessed. br br br Then gave he gems of hope to shine br Around this goblet's brim; br Then dropped a pearl into this wine,- br The Memory of Him.