Classic and Contemporary Poetry
BAPTISM OF CHRIST, by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS Poet's Biography First Line: It was a green spot in the wilderness Last Line: Circled, and flutter'd to the saviour's breast. Subject(s): Baptism; Jesus Christ - Life And Ministry; Christenings | ||||||||
IT was a green spot in the wilderness, Touch'd by the river Jordan. The dark pine Never had dropp'd its tassels on the moss Tufting the leaning bank, nor on the grass Of the broad circle stretching evenly To the straight larches, had a heavier foot Than the wild heron's trodden. Softly in Through a long aisle of willows, dim and cool, Stole the clear waters with their muffled feet, And, hushing as they spread into the light, Circled the edges of the pebbled tank Slowly, then rippled through the woods away. Hither had come th' Apostle of the wild, Winding the river's course. 'Twas near the flush Of eve, and, with a multitude around, Who from the cities had come out to hear, He stood breast-high amid the running stream, Baptizing as the Spirit gave him power. His simple raiment was of camel's hair, A leathern girdle close about his loins, His beard unshorn, and for his daily meat The locust and wild honey of the wood -- But like the face of Moses on the mount Shone his rapt countenance, and in his eye Burn'd the mild fire of love -- and as he spoke The ear lean'd to him, and persuasion swift To the chain'd spirit of the listener stole. Silent upon the green and sloping bank The people sat, and while the leaves were shook With the birds dropping early to their nests, And the gray eve came on, within their hearts They mused if he were Christ. The rippling stream Still turn'd its silver courses from his breast As he divined their thought. "I but baptize," He said, "with water; but there cometh One, The latchet of whose shoes I may not dare E'en to unloose. He will baptize with fire And with the Holy Ghost." And lo! while yet The words were on his lips, he raised his eyes, And on the bank stood Jesus. He had laid His raiment off, and with his loins alone Girt with a mantle, and his perfect limbs, In their angelic slightness, meek and bare, He waited to go in. But John forbade, And hurried to his feet and stay'd him there, And said, "Nay, Master! I have need of thine, Not thou of mine!" And Jesus, with a smile Of heavenly sadness, met his earnest looks, And answer'd, "Suffer it to be so now; For thus it doth become me to fulfil All righteousness." And, leaning to the stream, He took around him the Apostle's arm, And drew him gently to the midst. The wood Was thick with the dim twilight as they came Up from the water. With his clasped hands Laid on his breast, th' Apostle silently Follow'd his Master's steps -- when lo! a light, Bright as the tenfold glory of the sun, Yet lambent as the softly burning stars, Envelop'd them, and from the heavens away Parted the dim blue ether like a veil; And as a voice, fearful exceedingly, Broke from the midst, "THIS IS MY MUCH LOVED SON IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED," a snow-white dove, Floating upon its wings, descended through; And shedding a swift music from its plumes, Circled, and flutter'd to the Saviour's breast. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PERAMBULATOR POEM by DAVID MCCORD ANNIVERS: BAPTISMI by JOSEPH BEAUMONT ANNIVERS: BAPTISMT by JOSEPH BEAUMONT ANNIVERSARIUM BAPTISMI (1) by JOSEPH BEAUMONT ANNIVERSARIUM BAPTISMI (2) by JOSEPH BEAUMONT ANNIVERSARIUM BAPTISMI (3) by JOSEPH BEAUMONT ANNIVERSARIUM BAPTISMI (5) by JOSEPH BEAUMONT THE WATERS OF H. BAPTISME by JOSEPH BEAUMONT GOSPEL BANJO: HOMAGE TO LITTLE ROY LEWIS by DAVID BOTTOMS ANDRE'S LAST REQUEST [OR, REQUEST TO WASHINGTON] [OCTOBER 1, 1780] by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS |
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