Feeding the Multitude.
THE twelve apostles, when the time
For their return had come,
Betook themselves with one accord
To Jesus, at His home;
And told Him all things that befell
While they had been away;
What they had done, what they had taught,
And how they fared each day.
Then Jesus at Bethsaida
Was with compassion moved,
To see the people crowd around—
The sheep He so much loved.
He talked to them of God and heaven—
The land above all lands—
And healed as many as had need
Of healing at His hands.
Then said the twelve: "Lord do Thou send
The multitude away,
That they some victuals may procure
Before the close of day."
But Jesus knew that poverty
Oppressed the multitude,
And kindly to His followers said:
"Can ye not give them food?"
"Two hundred pennyworth of bread,"
Philip at once replied,
"Would not a little food for each
Of this great crowd provide."
Then Andrew, Peter's brother, spoke:
"Here is a lad," he said,
"Who two small fishes has, beside
Five loaves of barley bread.
"But, what are they to such a crowd?"
The Lord said: "Bring them here.
Then seat the people on the grass,
By fifties, far and near."
And taking in His hands the bread
And fish, He looked toward heaven
And blest it in the name of Him
From whom all bread is given;
Then brake, and the disciples passed
The broken food around
To all the multitude, who sat
Expectant on the ground.
Then Jesus said: "Go, gather up
The fragments careless tossed
Upon the ground, in wanton waste,
That nothing may be lost."
And the disciples—patient men,
Went, stooping, o'er the field,
And fragment of the late repast
Twelve baskets full did yield.
And when the Lord perceived that they
Did meditate to bring
United force with the intent
That they might crown Him king,
He urged that His disciples should
Take ship and cross the sea,
While He dispersed the multitudes,
And followed secretly.