47. Into a Tent Where a Gypsy Boy Lay

1
Into a tent where a gypsy boy lay,
 
Dying alone, at the close of the day,
 
News of salvation we carried. Said he,
 
"Nobody ever has told it to me!"
 
Tell it again! tell it again!
 
Salvation’s story repeat o’er and o’er
 
Till none can say of the children of men,
 
"Nobody ever has told me before!"
2
"Did He so love me, a poor little boy?
 
Send unto me the good tidings of joy?
 
Need I not perish? My hand will He hold?
 
Nobody ever the story has told!"
3
Bending, we caught the last words of his breath,
 
Just as he entered the valley of death:
 
"God sent His Son! — Whosoever!" said he;
 
"Then I am sure that He sent Him for me!"
4
Smiling he said, as his last sigh was spent,
 
"I am so glad that for me He was sent!"
 
Whispered, while low sank the sun in the west:
 
"Lord, I believe! tell it now to the rest."