Explore "The Woman who Came Behind him in the Crowd" by George MacDonald on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Near him she stole, rank after rank; / She feared approach too loud; / She touched his garment's hem, and shrank / Back in the sheltering crowd.
A shame-faced gladness thrills her frame: / Her twelve years' fainting prayer / Is heard at last! she is the same / As other women there!
She hears his voice. He looks about. / Ah! is it kind or good / To drag her secret sorrow out / Before that multitude?
The eyes of men she dares not meet -- / On her they straight must fall! -- / Forward she sped, and at his feet / Fell down, and told him all.
To the one refuge she hath flown, / The Godhead's burning flame! / Of all earth's women she alone / Hears there the tenderest name:
"Daughter," he said, "be of good cheer; / Thy faith hath made thee whole: " / With plenteous love, not healing mere, / He comforteth her soul.