Classic Poem

Three kings from out the Orient
For Judah's land were fairly bent,
To find the Lord of grace;
And as they journeyed pleasantlie,
A star kept shining in the sky,
To guide them to the place.
" O Star, " they cried, " by all confest
Withouten dreed, the loveliest! "

The first was Melchior to see,
The emperour hight of Arabye,
An aged man, I trow:
He sat upon a rouncy bold,
Had taken of the red red gold,
The babe for to endow.
" O Star, " he cried. . . .

The next was Gaspar, young and gay,
That held the realm of far Cathay —
Our Jesus drew him thence —
Yclad in silk from head to heel,
He rode upon a high cameel,
And bare the frankincense.
" O Star, " he cried. . . .

The last was dusky Balthasar,
That rode upon a dromedar —
His coat was of the fur.
Dark-browed he came from Samarkand,
The Christ to seek, and in his hand
Upheld the bleeding myrrh.
" O Star, " he cried, " by all confest
Withouten dreed, the loveliest. "