The Marriage at Cana.
THE third day spent in Galilee
There was a marriage feast;
In Cana was the wedding held,
And Mary was a guest.
And Jesus, to this marriage feast
Received a formal call—
The wondrous Gospel Teacher,
With His disciples all.
And when more wine was wanted,
The mother of the Lord
Requested Him to show His power,
And wine to them afford.
But Jesus answered, "Woman,
My youthful days are o'er,
And to direct my actions
Should be your part no more.
"To show to men, by miracles
My power, the wondrous sum,
'Tis mine to choose the proper time
Which has not fully come."
Then, Mary to the servants said,
"Hark what He saith to you;
And, whatsoever it may be,
That thou shalt surely do."
And there were set six waterpots,
That cleanly Jews might reach
To wash their hands, and they contained
Two or three firkins each.
Jesus unto the servants said—
Who paid respect to Him—
"These vessels all with water fill;"
They filled them to the brim.
Then He commanded, "Draw out now,
And bear a cup well filled
Unto the ruler of the feast;"
And they did as He willed.
And the ruler, when he tasted
The wine from water made,
Not knowing how it was produced,
Unto the bridegroom said:
"Each man who spreads a feast, sets forth
Good wine at first, of course,
And, when the guests have drunk it all
Produces what is worse.
"But never at a marriage feast
Has bridegroom done as thou
Who gave poor wine at first and kept
The good wine until now."
Thus, by this first of miracles,
Did Jesus show His power,
And His disciples knew Him Christ,
From that important hour.