John the Baptist.

NOW, in the fifteenth year, when reigned

Tiberias Cæsar grand,

And Pontius Pilate, under him,

Ruled over Judah's land,

And three of Herod's sons controlled

The regions North and East,

And Annas and Caiaphas were

Appointed, each, high priest,

The word of God came unto John—

Old Zacharias' son—

Who, in Judea's wilderness,

Had dwelt and prayed alone.

His raiment was of camel's hair,

There in his strange retreat,

While locusts and wild-honey

Comprised his only meat.

He preached where flowed the Jordan

Down through Judea's land;

Saying: "Repent ye, for the kingdom

Of heaven is at hand."

Now, the people all expecting

Their Messiah at that time,

Mused in their hearts if John were not

That prophet most sublime.

So the Jews sent priests and Levites,

Down from Jerusalem,

To see this new, strange preacher,

And closely question him.

And, "Who art thou?" they asked of him,

And humbly he confessed

"I'm not the Christ, looked for by you,

Nor with such honor dressed."

"What then? Art thou Elias?"

He said: "Not that I know."

Art thou a risen prophet?"

He firmly answered, "No."

Then said they: "Tell us who thou art,

That we may answer give

To them that sent us thither

Some knowledge to receive."

He said: "I am the voice of one

Who through the land doth cry,

'Make straight, as said Esaias,

The way of the Most High.'"

The messengers were Pharisees,

Who said: "Why then baptize,

If thou be not the promised Christ,

Or he that should arise?"

John answered: "I, indeed, baptize

With water from the stream;

But there is one among you now

Of whom you do not dream.

"'Tis He who cometh after me,

The latchet of whose shoes,

Because He is so mighty,

I'm not worthy to unloose.

"And He shall, with the Holy Ghost,

Baptize you and inspire,

And fill your souls with power divine,

And with celestial fire.

"Whose fan is in His hand, and He

Will thoroughly purge His floor;

And gather up His wheat, but then,

With fire the chaff devour."

And many other things said he,

Exhorting all who heard;

And preaching unto them, with zeal,

The Gospel's precious Word.