THE High Priest at the altar lingering stood— The service o'er. The worshippers with faces kind and good, Passed from the door. The synagogue was empty; only one— A Child—remained; With eager eyes as shining as the Sun He stood as chained. "Kohen Gadol," said he, "When I grow To man's estate, I hope that I shall know the things you know And be as great. "And Oh, I wish such glorious robes to wear As these of yours, Dear Master, intercede for me in prayer, For that secures "What e'er you ask. And here—behold I bring These beauteous flowers; Upon the brink of Kedron they did cling These many hours. "Accept them. With the other blossoms—see?— Are here, so fair, The Valley Lilies; these I give to thee, Now make thy prayer." On that boy's head the High Priest—smiling—laid A kindly hand. He said: "My child, these lilies here have prayed; They understand "As well as I the mysteries of God. I ask for you Such raiment as the flowers of the sod When fresh with dew. "Abide thou in thine innocence, for lo! The Great High Priest May even less of God—Jehovah—know Than thou, the Least." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GOOD-BYE DOROTHY GAYLE: HOME TO FARGO by KAREN SWENSON SEVEN TIMES TWO [ - ROMANCE] by JEAN INGELOW TO MY MERE ENGLISH CENSURER by BEN JONSON LATE LEAVES by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR CAPTAIN CARPENTER by JOHN CROWE RANSOM A SONG FOR THE SINGLE TABLE ON NEW YEAR'S DAY by ELIZABETH FRANCES AMHERST |