University of Virginia Library

One was asking of a Teacher,
‘How a Father his reputed
‘Son for his should recognize?’
Said the Master, ‘By the stripling,
‘As he grows to manhood, growing
‘Like to his reputed Father,
‘Good or Evil, Fool or Wise.
‘Lo the disregarded Darnel
‘With itself adorns the Wheat-field,
‘And for all the vernal season
‘Satisfies the farmer's eye;
‘But the hour of harvest coming,
‘And the thrasher by and by,
‘Then a barren ear shall answer,
‘“Darnel, and no Wheat, am I.”’