Classic Poem

PARABLE XXX.

The Camel and the Needle's Eye.

A certain ruler came to ask,
‘Good Master, what must be my task
‘To gain heav'n's infinite reward?’
Why callest thou me good? the Lord
Reply'd: no person has a claim,
Save God alone, to such a name
Thou know'st the statutes what they be,
Do not commit adultery;
And, Do no murder; Do not steal;
Nor in false testimony deal;
Thy parents reverence.—He cry'd,
‘With these from youth have I comply'd.’
Now Jesus hearing this, return'd,
Yet one thing is there to be learn'd;
Give all thou hast unto the poor,
And thou shalt heav'nly wealth insure,
And one to my disciples add
This said, he was exceeding sad,
For he much opulence possess'd.
When Jesus saw him thus distress'd,
He said, How hardly shall they go
To heav'n who have their wealth below:
For ev'n the camel may go thro'
The needle's eye with less to do,
Than men, that doat on mammon's rust,
By God be number'd with the just.
And they that heard him this declare,
Cry'd, (conscious of the gen'ral care)
Who can be sav'd of all mankind?
But he with lenity rejoin'd,
What is impossible with man,
Omnipotence both will and can.