Eager he wandered the streets of Scythopolis, A Hebrew youth, with the dust of twoscore miles Staining his sandals, dark eyes dancing with bliss Of beauty, -- arches and pillars and peristyles, Porticos, domes and many an edifice Noble in line and color. And ever the passers-by turned And spake with him till their hearts within them burned. Simple his words, sounded with rustic burr Of the Galilean, but he was himself the Word Of God's own joy, and each leaf-crowned reveller Moved on to a music in heart he had not heard Since, a child, he ran with the wind. The sophister, Even the cynic whose sneers had beaten on life like whips, Marvelled to find sweet laughter on their lips. Beggars that crouched in the streets of Scythopolis, Lean hands plucking at togas that swept them by, Let pass his scrip too humble for avarice, But it fed them with fruits as in limitless supply, Figs, dates, olives, that thrilled the paralysis From spirit and nerve till, arising, the happy lame walked free, Till the bewildered blind cried out, "I see!" Before a sculptured Diana in Parian Marble the prentice carpenter drew quick breath Of rapture. From her litter a courtesan Beheld him standing like one that worshippeth And cowered back on her perfumed pillows, wan, Smit by the silver shaft of chastity. Over him flew Doves like a halo of wings against the blue. Why were forbidden the streets of Scythopolis, Wondered the young Nazarene as he lingered in them. Were not Beauty and Mirth the angels of this City more splendid than holy Jerusalem? He knew by the Voice within him that not amiss Had he done that day in seeking the glories of Roman and Greek, Though he knew not yet that to him should the Gentiles seek. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO HIS CONSCIENCE by ROBERT HERRICK IN THE VALLEY OF THE ELWY by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS IN APRIL by MARGARET LEE ASHLEY ANYWHERE OUT OF THE WORLD by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE INCOGNITA IN THE TEMPLE OF THESEUS by SEYMOUR GREEN WHEELER BENJAMIN |