With incense and myrrh and sweet spices, Frankincense and sacredest oil In ivory, chased with devices Cut quaint and in serpentine coil; Heads bared, and held down to the bosom; Brows massive with wisdom and bronzed; Beards white as the white May in blossom; And borne to the breast and beyond, -- Came the Wise of the East, bending lowly On staffs, with their garments girt round With girdles of hair, to the Holy Child Christ, in their sandals. The sound Of song and thanksgiving ascended -- Deep night! Yet some shepherds afar Heard a wail with the worshipping blended And they then knew the sign of the star. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DEDICATION FOR A PLOT OF GROUND by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS FAITHLESS NELLY GRAY; A PATHETIC BALLAD by THOMAS HOOD SPECIMEN OF AN INDUCTION TO A POEM by JOHN KEATS THE LEPER by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE by JOEL BLAU NEW ENGLAND'S GROWTH by WILLIAM BRADFORD |