The mission—The first Two

(The Saviour of the World, Vol III Book IV Poem XLIV)

They reached the village; lifted voice
To arrest the passers: bade, “Rejoice,
The King is come, Messias all men wait;
Come, press ye through the Kingdom’s narrow gate!”
Men gave a passing glance—scarce lent an ear;—
What was’t to them Messias should appear?
Busy were they with great concerns;
“Who has to till the soil, he learns,”
Say they, “that every idle tale
Must not to stop men’s work prevail.”
This one and that had each bought field;
Inquired, anxious, of its yield,
And whether millet, corn or vine
Were best for first crop to assign:
“Poor dreamers, these, now what know they
How men must toil all through the day
Shelter to keep above their head
And get their little children, bread?”
Said labouring men, and turned away,
Nor would mere words to hear delay.
This friendly man said, “Come and sup,”—
But would not take their doctrine up,
Nor for an instant lend a listening ear
To all they would unfold of hope or fear!

Sad, they went forth from village street,
And shook the dust from off their feet!