文档介绍：General William Booth Enters into Heaven and Other Poems
General William Booth
Enters into Heaven and
Other Poems
By Vachel Lindsay
I
[Bass drum beaten loudly.] Booth led boldly with his big bass drum --
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?) The Saints smiled gravely
and they said: "He'e." (Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)
Walking lepers followed, rank on rank, Lurching bravoes from the ditches
dank, Drabs from the alleyways and drug fiends pale -- Minds still
passion-ridden, soul-powers frail: -- Vermin-eaten saints with mouldy
breath, Unwashed legions with the ways of Death -- (Are you washed in
the blood of the Lamb?)
[Banjos.] Every slum had sent its half-a-score The round world over.
(Booth had groaned for more.) Every banner that the wide world flies
Bloomed with glory and transcendent dyes. Big-voiced lasses made their
banjos bang, Tranced, fanatical they shrieked and sang: -- "Are you
washed in the blood of the Lamb?" Hallelujah! It was queer to see Bull-
necked convicts with that land make free. Loons with trumpets blowed a
blare, blare, blare On, on upward thro' the golden air! (Are you washed in
the blood of the Lamb?)
1
General William Booth Enters into Heaven and Other Poems
II
[Bass drum slower and softer.] Booth died blind and still by Faith he
trod, Eyes still dazzled by the ways of God. Booth led boldly, and he
looked the chief Eagle countenance in sharp relief, Beard a-flying, air of
mand Unabated in that holy land.
[Sweet flute music.] Jesus came from out the court-house door,
Stretched his hands above the passing poor. Booth saw not, but led his
queer ones there Round and round the mighty court-house square. Yet in
an instant all that blear review Marched on spotless, clad in raiment new.
The lame were straightened, withered limbs uncurled And blind eyes
opened on a new, sweet world.
[Bass drum louder.] Drabs and vixens in a flash made whole! Gone
was the weasel-head, the snout, the jo