X + 

Pilate’s Wife + 

Why came in dreams the low-born man + 

Between thee and thy rest? + 

In vain thy whispered message ran, + 

Though justice was its quest! + 

Did some young ignorant angel dare⁠— + 

Not knowing what must be, + 

Or blind with agony of care⁠— + 

To fly for help to thee? + 

I know not. Rather I believe, + 

Thou, nobler than thy spouse, + 

His rumoured grandeur didst receive, + 

And sit with pondering brows, + 

Until thy maidens’ gathered tale + 

With possible marvel teems: + 

Thou sleepest, and the prisoner pale + 

Returneth in thy dreams. + 

Well mightst thou suffer things not few + 

For his sake all the night! + 

In pale eclipse he suffers, who + 

Is of the world the light. + 

Precious it were to know thy dream + 

Of such a one as he! + 

Perhaps of him we, waking, deem + 

As poor a verity. + 