Classic Poem

PART V.

A T length, after long travel past,
She came, as it grew late,
Along a beaten road, that led
To a vast city gate.

A vast and populous city, where
Rose dome, and tower, and spire,
And many a gilded pinnacle,
Far-seen, as the bright sunset fell,
Like glittering points of fire.

A city vast and populous,
Whose thronging multitude
Sent forth a sound afar-off heard,
Strong as the ocean-flood.

A strong, deep sound of many sounds,
Toil, pleasure, pain, delight,
And traffic, myriad-wheeled, whose din
Ceased not by day or night.

And through the city gate a throng
Passed ever, never spent;
A busy mingling human tide
Of those who came and went.

'Twas a proud city and a rich;
A city fair and old;
Filled with the world's most costly things, —
Of precious stones and gold;
Of silks, fine woods, and spiceries;
And all that's bought and sold.

Thither came homeless Marien,
Came there as it grew late,
Foot-sore and weary, friendless, poor,
Unto the city gate.

There found her a poor carpenter
Returning from his trade,
And he, with pitying countenance,
Her weary form surveyed.

" Come! " said he, " thou unto my house
Shalt go; and of my bread,
And of my cup, thou shalt partake;
Shalt bide with me! " and as he spake,
Her weary steps he led.

Unto an humble place that stood
'Mong dwellings of the poor
He brought her; bade her welcome thrice
Unto his lowly door.
Amid their fellows, tool in hand,
The gospel preached the while.

'Twas told of Marien, how she came
A wanderer none knew whence;
Friendless and poor, of mind mature,
A Child in innocence;
As thus 'twas told, some blessed God,
But others took offence.

" Why, " said they, " should this simple child,
These men of low degree,
Thus preach and practice? what new faith
Is there, or need there be?

" Bishops have taught a thousand years,
And learned men are they;
These are mad doctrines, false, unfit,
Devised to lead astray. "

Therefore the simple people were
To a full synod brought,
To answer for their altered lives,
And for the faith they taught.

Much marveled all those learned men
To see them fearless stand
Calm, unabashed; with ready wit,
And language at command.

And to their taunt of low estate,
They answered, " let alone
All pride of rank; Christ chose the poor,
To make his gospel known.

" And what are we? — Immortal souls,
For whom Christ's blood was shed;
Children of one great sire, with ye,
Co-heirs of Immortality;
Alike you both in birth and death;
Alone our lot so differeth,
As God shall judge the dead! "

Then were they questioned of old creeds,
By sophistries perplexed;
So that their artless lore might fail,
Their simple souls be vexed.

But they were steadfast in the faith
As taught the holy book;
And thence it was adjudged a crime
Upon its page to look.

And the grave synod rose in wrath,
And they were judged blasphemers dire,
And doomed, their daring heresies
To explate in fire.