Comes a priest back from the Temple,
Pondering the written Law,
Blind to all the lovely blossoms
In the awe,
In the testamented terror
Of the lengthened scroll he reads;
While the beggar at the highroad
Vainly pleads!
Comes a wanton in her madness,
Drifting down the human stream;
In her eyes the haunting horror
Of a dream!
Comes a harpist gaily singing,
Brave above the smitten cords,
Glancing at the royal huleh
And the gourds.
Come two lovers from betrothal—
She is on a milk-white ass,
And he strides in strength beside her;
As they pass,
Bartimæus pleads for pity:
"Give the blind man of our all,"
Breathes the maiden, and the young man—
Straight and tall—
Gives three shekels to the beggar,
Turns and looks into her eyes;
Then they journey to their waiting
Paradise!
*****
Strange!—That day three people only
Heard blind Bartimæus' cry—
These, and Jesus Christ of Nazareth
Passing by!