Artsongs: St. Martin and the Beggar (El Greco)

     

Martin of Tours

The soldier traveled on his way

Along a lonely road.

The finest horse at his command,

His destiny was sure.

But then a beggar passed his way

And time was bent askew.

Compassion pulled and stretched the forms

Of man and beast that day.

His side sword meant for cleaving foes

Became a tailor’s knife

So he could half his very cloak

To clothe the naked man.

And there unfolded all the world

With beggar clothed and warm.

The Lord of all creation spoke

Of Martin’s loving act.

The sadness of his countenance

Reveals a new insight

That knows we all share poverty

And thus must share our gain.

The beggar did not make the saint

But helped the soldier see

That his compassion for the poor

Would welcome life anew.

Awakening the saint within

The Roman soldier’s heart,

The path was set for Europe’s best

And all would speak his name.

                                                          ~ CK

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Image: St. Martin and the Beggar at the National Gallery of Art
Artist: El Greco
Medium: Oil on canvas

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