Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONG OF THREE KINGS, by ISABEL ECCLESTONE MACKAY


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONG OF THREE KINGS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Three kings went forth to greet a king
Last Line: (o long ago and far!)
Subject(s): Children; Christmas; Courts & Courtiers; Gifts & Giving; Singing & Singers; Childhood; Nativity, The


THREE kings went forth to greet a King,
(O long ago and far!)
On three high camels in a string,
Their only guide a star.
They bore rich robes and golden rings
And myrrh and frankincense and things
Such as are suitable for kings.
(O long ago and far!)

Through lands all dark with sleep they rode
(O long ago and far!)
By little lanes of light that showed
The pathway of the star.
But nothing did the three kings say
Till they were far and far away
And, weary, the kind camels lay.
(O long ago and far!)

Gold was the sand they rested on,
(O long ago and far!)
Said one, "Our questing ends anon—
Behold, how near the star!
O Sirs, this King we ride to find
Moves in strange glory through my mind,
Resistless, terrible as wind."
(O long ago and far!)

"Friend, say you so?" with secret smile
(O long ago and far!)
The second searcher scanned awhile
The portent of the star.
"To me," he mused, " 'twould seem more right
That He whose star fills heaven with light
Should rule by wisdom, not by might."
(O long ago and far!)

The third king, thoughtful, paused to sup
(O long ago and far!)
Sweet water from a jade-green cup,
Serene beneath the star.
"High Sirs," said he, "it would appear
Wisdom hath ruled before—and fear—
If these be all, what seek we here?"
(O long ago and far!)

The quick wind blew the lifting sands
(O long ago and far!)
In golden rain against their hands,
Hiding awhile the star.
Again he spake: "Earth wearies of
Wise endless words and mailed glove—
What of a King whose rule were love?"
(O long ago and far!)

The swift wind died, the soft sand fell,
(O long ago and far!)
The camels knelt with tinkling bell,
With glory blazed the star;
And no word more did any say,
But rose and rolled their mats away,
For it was dawn—and Christmas Day!
(O long ago and far!)





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