Remained behind; yet thinking he had strayed
Unwittingly, they a day's journey made,

And sought him anxiously. Of every friend
And relative inquired; then pensive bend
Back to Jerusalem their weary way:

There in the Temple found,-no infant play
His thoughts engaged. Jesus in converse high,
Sat midst the Doctors;-rapid in reply,-
Profound in question-the Mosaic law
He modestly expounds. All heard and saw
With deep amaze his graceful eloquence:
Whence is his learning, and his doctrine whence?
"Why hast thou thus deserted us?" with sighs
His mother asks, and sorrow-streaming eyes.
"Behold, my son, three days with anxious care,
Thy father and myself have every where

Sought thee in vain." Jesus this answer made:

66

Why sought ye me, thus careful and afraid?

Surely I deemed, my mother, that you knew
I must betimes Father's work pursue,"

my

Smiling he rose, and with affection pressed

The gentle hand which clasped him to her breast.
Obedient to her wish, he to their home

Straightway returned-thence never sought to roam :
Nor left he Nazareth, when he attained

The age of manhood; but by labour gained
His daily bread, and by his toil sustained

The aged Joseph, till the time ordained

Of God. Thus eighteen summers peaceful flew-
In stature, wisdom, grace, mature he grew,
Till, in the spirit of Elias, came

The mighty Baptist, breathing heavenly flame.

CANTO II.

A

cry is heard by Jordan's flowery strand, "Repent! repent! God's kingdom is at hand!" All flock to see. Arrayed as prophet old,

In manly prime, the Baptist stern and bold,
Appears before them. From the shoulders bare
Unto the waist, his loins with camels' hair
Girded around; his food the locust tree
Supplies, and honey of the mountain bee.
Close by the margin of the stream he stood,
"Repent! repent! immerse ye in the flood,
And wash away your sins; there purify
Your souls and bodies, for the Lord is nigh;

Whose heavenly kingdom I aloud declare,
Whose pathway I, his messenger, prepare."
From Jordan and Jerusalem drew near,
And from the country round-impressed with fear,
A multitude devout; whom to baptize

He hastens. When, behold, with prying eyes,
The Scribes and Pharisees approach. Attent
His words they mark; them (as they proudly bent
With feigned humility) he thus addressed :—
"Ye generation of the viper's nest,

Oh who hath warned you timely thus to fly
The wrath to come? Purge then, and purify

Your hearts, and be baptized; nor think to say,
The sons of Abr'am we. Abr'am this day

Saw, and was glad. Repent, amend your ways,
For God of stones can sons to Abr'am raise;
Prove by good works your penitence sincere,
Amend your lives, and serve the Lord with fear.
This day the axe is laid unto the root

Of every tree such as produce not fruit,