Classic Poem

I dwelt in sunny Bethany contented,
Master of fertile lands and orchards rare,
Housed with my sister Mary, who was fair,
And Martha, who revered me as a prayer,
While naught the peace of my calm mind tormented.

The golden bees among my hives were many,
My flowers and fruit were paid in Roman gold;
The cattle and sleek sheep within my fold
Were sought from distant Carmel to be sold,
And of annoying care I had not any.

Honored by all, and free from moods of sadness,
I spent in courteous trade my pleasant days,
With bond companions in delightful ways,
And, like a bird loved by the jocund rays
Of happy spring, I passed the days in gladness.

Ah! I was blest indeed, for then the stately
And gentle form of Christ did grace the land!
Christ, who could heal and solace with his hand,
Christ, the benign, the marvelous, the bland,
Who claimed me as his friend and loved me greatly.

And he in winning, simple ways had told me
That I and all my house were joys to him,
That he would gratify my every whim,
And, that until my earthly eyes grew dim,
He would sustain, and strengthen, and uphold me.

His love, made manifest by proofs diurnal,
Each hour more fervent and enduring seemed,
And I, confiding in all wonders, deemed
That he whose light celestial on me beamed
Would grant me life delicious and eternal.

And knowing it, glad, I smiled at mournful morrows,
Childishly trusting in his word and might,
And as I prayed below the stars at night,
I felt he loved me, and in deep delight
I warned away the phantoms of all sorrows.

But on a day malarious ills came o'er me,
While Christ, my holy friend, was wandering far,
Preaching where green Judea's hillsides are;
Ay, far from me as earth is from a star,
And I no longer saw his smile before me.