The Prophet

Since the Eternal Judge to me
The Prophets’ power of vision lent,
In human eyes I read, and see
Pages of vice and folly blent.

To preach of love when I began,
Teaching of truth and purity,
My neighbours all, like devils, ran
And took up stones to throw at me.

Upon my head I ashes cast,
And from the towns, a beggar, fled;
And now I dwell in deserts vast,
Just like the birds, by God’s hand fed.

Keeping the laws of Providence,
The brute creation serveth me;
The stars hear me with confidence,
With bright rays playing joyously.

When through the noisy city’s way
I hurry onwards, in distraction,
The old men to the children say,
With smile of selfish satisfaction—

“Behold, from him a warning take!
He was too proud with us to dwell;
The fool! That God through his lips spake—
This was the tale he strove to tell.

“Look, children! on him cast your eyes!
How sad he is! how thin and pallid!
How naked, and how poor and squalid!
How all the wretched man despise!”