John the Baptist.
AFTER these things did Jesus go
Forth into Judah's land,
Attended by his followers,
A faithful holy band.
John in his holy zeal baptized
The people all around,
In Aenon, near to Salim,
Where water did abound.
And John's disciples told him all—
How Jesus, too, baptized,
And crowds of people went to Him;
But John was not surprised.
He answered, "Man can nothing take,
Except to him 'tis given,
And to baptize with water
Was my command from Heaven.
"And ye, yourselves, can witness true
I said, I am not He—
The Christ, the long expected one—
He cometh after me.
"Full happy is the bridegroom, but
His friend, which standeth near,
Rejoiceth in his happiness,
So I am filled with cheer.
"He will go on, in power and might,
His glory must increase;
While I, His humble forerunner,
Must dwindle and decrease.
"He that descendeth from above
Is Lord and King of all;
While he that is mere earthly man
Is tainted by the fall.
"He that from heaven comes to earth—
The mighty Prince and Lord—
Tells men what He has seen and heard,
And none receive His word.
"Yet he that hath received His word
Hath set his loyal seal,
That God's eternal righteousness
He doth to man reveal."
But John's bold, fearless preaching
Now, suddenly, must cease—
How truly he had prophesied
Unto himself decrease!