University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
The parables of our lord and saviour Jesus Christ

Done into familiar verse, with occasional applications, for the use and improvement of younger minds. By Christopher Smart
Smart, Christopher (1722-1771)

collapse section 
[section]
  
[dedication]
expand section 
THE PARABLES.
expand section 
[Though the following Passages of the New Testament be not Parables, yet as they are altogether pertinent to our present Design, we have not scrupled to insert them.]

collapse section Collapse All | Expand All expand section
previous section The parables of our lord and saviour Jesus Christ
next section
129

PARABLE LXV. Tribute payable to Cæsar.

The Pharisees did council take,
How they might trap him, as he spake;
And to the Lord their sect'ries sent,
With Herod's crew, to that intent,
Who said, “We know that thou art true,
“And teachest us God's work to do
“In truth, nor dost thou stand in fear
“Of any man, or rank revere;
“We, therefore, would that thou declare
“What is thy thought in this affair,
“Is it a lawful thing to pay
“To Cæsar tribute or gain—say?”
But Christ their craft did instant see;
“Ye hypocrites, why tempt ye me?
“Let me the tribute-money view.”
A penny to the Lord they shew—
“Whose superscription and whose head
“Is on this piece of coin? he said.”
130

They answer, It is Cæsar's face
And title. Then the Prince of grace,
“To Cæsar Cæsar's things assign,
“And to the Deity divine.”
previous section The parables of our lord and saviour Jesus Christ
next section