''Transubstantiation''

Man's body was ordained to tell
The tale of this sweet miracle.
For bread and wine, and all his food,
Are turned to Flesh, are turned to Blood;
And all men, at their common feasts,
Are transubstantiating priests.

Christ, as in Cana's miracle,
Generous, his creatures would excel,
So gave to men ordained the power
With his own Flesh and Blood to dower
The altar Bread, the altar Wine--
O daring plagiary divine!

The walk awarely mid the corn
That will as human flesh be worn--
'Tis holy ground that thou dost tread.
And be indeed a worshipper,
Discerning in our daily bread
The Eucharist's biographer.
--Francis Thompson.
File Under: Eucharist