The Reliquary By Bernard and Lucy Barton. With A Prefatory Appeal for Poetry and Poets |
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| II. |
ON A PICTURE BY PAUL VERONESE OF THE WISE MEN'S OFFERING. |
 | The Reliquary |  |
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ON A PICTURE BY PAUL VERONESE OF THE WISE MEN'S OFFERING.
Brighter tints of richer tone
Painting scarcely could impart;
Yet it is not these alone,
Charm the eye, or touch the heart
Painting scarcely could impart;
Yet it is not these alone,
Charm the eye, or touch the heart
'Tis the sight of wisdom hoar,
With its offerings undefiled;
Bowing meekly down before
Maiden mother! Heaven-born child!
With its offerings undefiled;
Bowing meekly down before
Maiden mother! Heaven-born child!
Knowledge oft may fill the head,
Yet may leave the heart untaught;
Not on such their spirits fed,
To the feet of Jesus brought!
Yet may leave the heart untaught;
Not on such their spirits fed,
To the feet of Jesus brought!
Or they had not in their day,
Been thus privileged of heaven;
Nor, to guide them on their way,
Had that glorious star been given.
Been thus privileged of heaven;
Nor, to guide them on their way,
Had that glorious star been given.
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Crown'd with years, and counted wise,
Wondrous it had scarcely been,
Had they ventured to despise
Him—the new-born Nazarene.
Wondrous it had scarcely been,
Had they ventured to despise
Him—the new-born Nazarene.
But obedience can bestow
Wisdom that no schools confer;
Hence they offer, bending low,
Gold, and frankincense, and myrrh!
Wisdom that no schools confer;
Hence they offer, bending low,
Gold, and frankincense, and myrrh!
What the moral of their deed?
What the truth with which 'tis fraught?
Even he who runs may read,
If but willing to be taught.
What the truth with which 'tis fraught?
Even he who runs may read,
If but willing to be taught.
Ever thus on suppliant knee,
Blessed Saviour! should we bring
Offerings meant to honour Thee,
As our Prophet, Priest, and King!
Blessed Saviour! should we bring
Offerings meant to honour Thee,
As our Prophet, Priest, and King!
Giver of each grace we hold,
Pure and perfect, great and good;
Let us, like the wise of old,
Reason not with flesh and blood.
Pure and perfect, great and good;
Let us, like the wise of old,
Reason not with flesh and blood.
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But before Thee bending down,
Say, as we thine own restore,
At thy feet we cast each crown,
Thine the glory evermore!
Say, as we thine own restore,
At thy feet we cast each crown,
Thine the glory evermore!
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