01.22. Excerpt5 - The Wise Men Worshiped Him

Excerpt5 - The Wise Men Worshiped Him

You have ears to hear? Then come, draw near,
And listen to my solo
On the greatest event heaven ever sent!
(My version’s via Marco Polo)
"The three wise men were kings," says Marco,
"In search of the King of Glory!"
And I, for one, am going to hear
While he unfolds the story:

"Gaspar from hoary Tarshish came,
Erect of head, with ancient name;
He came through dangers; he came afar,
Held to his course by a guiding star.
His beast swayed under a burdened back
With the weight of the gifts and the young king black-
A young king, strong and straight as an arrow,
No fear in his heart or down to his marrow;
Strong, reckless, happy, thrilled, and bold,
He sought for the King and he brought royal gold.
He slept by day and moved by night
(For only then the star gave light);
Without the star he might miss the way
That led to the Lord of Eternal Day.
As the time sped on, he went faster, faster,
Fearing that death or some disaster
Would rob him of getting that lasting joy
His heart had craved since a little boy.
In the danger of brigands and bears at night
He was warmed by the star and cheered by its light.

"A city he saw, and drawing near,
Met Belthazar, king of famed Chaldee,
Whose feet the wearying miles had trod,
His soul athirst for the living God.
’That I might find Him,’ was his humble cry
As he swept a tear from his wind-cut eye;
’For life without God does not make sense,’
He said as he clutched his frankincense.
And though he was king of famed Chaldee,
And though he had riches without a peer,
And though he could rule with an iron rod,
And though he could get his way with a nod,
And though men bowed and revered his name,
His heart was sinful - just the same
As the kings who had feasted at his table,
Or the boys who had cleaned his unclean stable.
So he sought for the God Who could cleanse from sin
And end the curse and chaos within.
The two raced on, ignoring all views,
Or the innkeeper’s warning and scaring news.
As they smoothly moved, without ever a word,
They conscious grew of the form of a third.
King Gaspar challenged: ’Your name, good Sire?’
And, trembling with age, he answered, ’Melchior-
’And I’m seeking the Gift of gifts most dear;
Though I’m lord and king of famed Nubia.
I seek the Redeemer, the Sufferer!
My humble gift? - just a gift of myrrh.’

"And now the kings (and they were three)
Moved on to the nativity.
The star led on where Mary sat,
Caroling her magnificat.
’My soul doth magnify. . .,’ she sang,
Until the very stable rang.
They found their Savior, King, and Lord,
With gifts they worshiped and adored."

WISE men worshiped! They still do -
A lesson, friend, to me and you.