JUDAS

"Have I not chosen you?" the Master said

To His disciples, His own selected twelve,

Before whose choice He prayed one whole night's length;

"Of you one is a devil", He had to tell.

"Mine intimate" and "My familiar friend" -  

By words like these Judas had been addressed

And with what sorrow the Saviour was oppressed

To see a man, partaker of His bread,

Come with the band, betraying at the end.

As Judas kissed Him Christ did not love him less,

Calling him "Friend" in painful consciousness

That Judas moved towards a Christless death.