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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE WARMING PAN; ABISHAG by NATHALIA CRANE

First Line: WHEN AGE HAD DAVID STRICKEN
Last Line: IS CERTAIN OF HER FAME.
Subject(s): ABISHAG (BIBLE); DAVID (D. 962 B.C.); WOMEN IN THE BIBLE;

When age had David stricken
They brought to him a maid,
And there's no use denying
That she was all afraid.

They chose her for her beauty --
A Shunammite and dark --
To carry on a custom
Much older than the Ark.

'Twas thought the king was freezing --
Or so the story ran --
And thus was picked that damsel
To be a warming pan.

They robed her as a princess,
She wore a diadem;
They led her to that chamber
In old Jerusalem.

* * * * *

The prophet got a mention
For work at Ajalon;
The Queen of Sheba headlined
Her thoughts of Solomon.

Whene'er the scribes are busy
They barely give the name,
But Abishag of Shunem
Is certain of her fame.



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