"Lovest thou me?" the Master said,
And Peter fervently and eagerly avowed,
"Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee."
But he who overcame the grave and death
Must have assurance that his work would stand,
His flock be cared for;
"Feed my lambs," he said.
Again the question, "Lovest thou me?"
And, grasping somewhat of the Master's urgency,
With utmost tenderness the answer came,
"Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee."
"Feed my sheep," he said.
And yet the third time, "Simon, lovest thou me?"
And Peter, grieving but repentant
That he had his Master thrice denied,
Remembering those words, "Upon this rock,"
Saw that he must affirm and reaffirm
His steadfast love and duty to his cause,
And earn again the strength of that new name
Of Peter, which his Lord had given.
"Yea, Lord, thou knowest all things,
And that I love thee well thou knowest too;"
Then gently, "Feed my sheep," the Saviour said.
