Classic Poem

PARABLE LX.

The Sign of the Prophet Jonas.

The Scribes and Pharisees, to thwart
Our Saviour Christ, did this retort,
We would a sign from thee behold:
But he the wilful atheists told,
‘A wicked and adult'rous seed,
‘Require a sign, but shall not speed,
‘Except in that which Jonas writes.
‘For as that seer three days and nights
‘In the whale's belly did reside,
‘So shall the Son of Man abide
‘In earth's recess an equal space.
‘Ev'n Nineveh's rebellious race
‘Shall try this people at the last,
‘And on fair evidence shall cast.
‘They turn'd their hearts, by Jonas warn'd,
‘But you've a greater prophet scorn'd
‘The queen from forth the south shall rise,
‘And cast this nation when she tries,
‘Which did from farthest earth appear,
‘The lore of Solomon to hear:
‘But, lo! the man ye will not heed,
‘Is greater far in word and deed.’
?In public, and before the sun,
Ten thousand miracles were done
Each day by Jesus Christ, to cure
The pains and ailments of the poor:
Yet Scribes and Pharisees must join
To tempt our Lord, and ask a sign
They saw his works: but his discourse,
These works were mighty to inforce,
They heard not, or broke off by hate,
By sneer, by question, and debate.