The Kings From the East St. Matthew ii.1-12 by C.M. Mason illustrated with b&w "The Epiphany" by Van Eyck xv NOR came the Desire of Nations all unknown, Save to the two or three in Bethlehem And Jerusalem to whose eyes He was shown There in the East-where stars are wonderful, And men, compelled to gaze at midnight skies, Therefrom draw omens-in the East were those Who searched the skies for presage of a Good Which should be unto all men-Christ of God. And God, who answereth ever in accord With our poor prayers, sent to those sages learned The sign they sought : Behold, His star in the East! They gat them up, and came in Eastern state- Perchance, three kings, as ancient fable tells, For should not kings to His bright Rising come ?- Seeking Jerusalem, where King Herod was What man so likely- as the king to know Of this new royal Birth : then, "Where is He," They ask, "that King of the Jews is born ? For we 42 43 His star in the East have seen-and come to worship." Thus spake they to the king, nor feared at all. Rumour of this strange quest spread through the streets Jerusalem was moved: with holy joy? Nay; as the king, the people: fear and dismay Troubled the peace of the easy-living folk. Herod dissembled with the kings ; would show Him zealous in their eyes; and, gathering scribes And chief priests of the people, asked of them Where the Christ should be born : they answered straight In Bethlehem of Judaea, thus spake the prophet Thou, Bethlehem, in land of Judah, art In nowise least among the princes there, For out of thee shall come a Governor, The Shepherd of My people Israel." Sudden, a murderous thought o'ertook the king He called the wise men privily, and learned Of them, with care, what time the star appeared: "Go," to the sages said he, "search concerning The Child, and when ye have found Him bring me word That I may also worship this new King." 44 Simple, they heard the king and went their way; When, marvellous! the star that was in the East, Bright, saw they over where the young Child lay: Whereat exceeding joy filled their good hearts. Nor were they moved to find in how poor place The Child and His mother dwelt; obeisance before The Holy Child made they-touching the ground With honoured brows, and, carrying His infant hand To those same brows, swore fealty, as men Born in the East life-long allegiance vow. Spreading their treasures open, they offered gifts The myrrh of suffering, frankicense of prayer, And regal gold ; for these three men were wise, And knew how He they worshipped should go forth To suffer, teach, and pray, to rule - a King. Well satisfied of heart, elate with hope, They left, and thought to bring King Herod word: But that night, as they slept, a counsel came Return not unto Herod." So they went, Obedient, to their land another way. Oh, happy sages come from out the East, To whom the Christ of God was manifest!