The Holy Cross by Eugene Field
The poem explores the idea that even sacred objects can be desecrated by human actions. It describes a holy cross being used as a plaything by children, and later being discarded in a gutter. The poem contrasts the original purpose of the cross with its eventual fate, highlighting the theme of desecration.
By Eugene Field · First published 1893 · Genre: Religious Fiction, Historical Fiction, Philosophical Fiction · 5,666 words
First lines
Whilst the noble Don Esclevador and his little band of venturesome / followers explored the neighboring fastnesses in quest for gold, the / Father Miguel tarried at the shrine which in sweet piety they had hewn / out of the stubborn rock in that strangely desolate spot. Here, upon / that serene August morning, the holy Father held communion with the / saints, beseeching them, in all humility, to intercede with our beloved / Mother for the safe guidance of the fugitive Cortes to his native / shores, and for the divine protection of the little host, which, / separated from the Spanish army, had wandered leagues to the northward, / and had sought refuge in the noble mountains of an unknown land. The / Father's devotions were, upon a sudden, interrupted by the approach of / an aged man who toiled along the mountain-side path, -- a man so aged and / so bowed and so feeble that he seemed to have been brought down into / that place, by means of some necromantic art, out of distant centuries. / His face was yellow and wrinkled like ancient parchment, and a beard / whiter than Samite streamed upon his breast, whilst about his withered / body and shrunken legs hung faded raiment which the elements had / corroded and the thorns had grievously rent. And as he toiled along, / the aged man continually groaned, and continually wrung his palsied / hands, as if a sorrow, no lighter than his years, afflicted him.
What this Textopian page supports
The Holy Cross is listed on Textopian as a short story by Eugene Field, dated 1893 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Eugene Field
- Date: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Fiction, Historical Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Tragedy, Adventure
- Length: 5,666 words
- Structure: 1 section, 33 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Holy Cross by Eugene Field
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Religious Fiction — The narrative centers around themes of faith, redemption, and the consequences of sin, particularly in relation to Christian beliefs.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set against a historical backdrop involving the Spanish conquests and references to biblical events.
- Philosophical Fiction — The text explores deep moral and existential questions, particularly regarding guilt, punishment, and the nature of mercy.
- Tragedy — The story involves the tragic fate of the Wandering Jew, highlighting themes of eternal suffering and loss.
Tags
Christianity · Religion · Spirituality · Faith · Devotion · Meditation · Prayer · Catholicism · Symbolism · Redemption · Salvation · Hope