Classic Poem

PARABLE XIII.

The Marriage Feast.

And Jesus yet again pursu'd
His theme by parables renew'd
The charter, which from heav'n I bring,
Is like a certain earthly king,
Who did his son a feast provide
The day on which he took a bride,
And sent his servants to invite
Such guests as had the greatest right;
But not a man of them would come
Again he sent out other some,
‘Tell them (I charge you) that are bid,
‘My beeves, my fatlings, lamb, and kid,
‘I for your company prepare,
‘Attend the feast, and take your share.’
But they contemn'd the joyful day,
And went in scoff another way,
One going to his rural grange,
And one into the throng'd exchange.
But for the remnant—they revile
His men and kill them—in a while
When the king heard thereof, enrag'd
He sent forth armies, that engag'd
Those murderers, and overcame,
And set their city in a flame
Then to his servants he declar'd,
‘The wedding is indeed prepar'd;
‘But they, who first were bidden here,
‘Were most unworthy my good cheer.
‘Go, therefore, to the common road,
‘Where whomsoe'er you find bestow'd,
‘Bid welcome’—So the servants went
To the highways on such intent,
And good and bad, and one and all,
They brought, and plac'd them in the hall:
So that the wedding-feast was stor'd
With guests that fill'd the social board
And when the king came in to see
The guests, a man there chanc'd to be
Without a garment made to grace
The rapture of the day and place.
‘Friend, said the king, how durst thou come
‘Without a robe?’ and he was dumb
Then said the sov'reign to his men,
Bind him, and take him to the den
Of outer darkness, there to rail
At goodness, gnash his teeth and wail,
And fitter so his thoughts employ
In sorrow, unarray'd for joy.
?God is the king, his son is Christ,
The marriage-feast the eucharist
By servants here are understood
God's priests, ambassadors for good.
Th' invited guests, that did refuse,
Are worldlings that the church disuse.
The wretches, that in discontent
Murder'd the servants that were sent,
Are such as not alone reject,
But persecute the Lord's elect.
The people brought from public ways
Are such as yield the pray'r and praise,
Where God's communicants agree;
The wedding-garment's charity,
Which whoso does not love and wear
Can give no praise, can make no pray'r,
And last of all should dare come up
To eat that bread, and drink that cup.