Classic Poem

PARABLE XXIV

The Prodigal Son.

Two youths a certain father rear'd,
Of which the youngest son appear'd,
And ask'd him, ‘Sir, to me consign
‘What portion of the goods is mine.’
Then shared he, without more ado,
His livelihood betwixt the two
But ere a many days were pass'd,
The younger all his wealth amass'd,
And took his journey far away,
Where soon, inordinately gay,
He wasted all he did possess
In rioting and rank excess;
And when with all he'd made an hand,
There rose a famine in the land,
And he began to be in need:
He therefore with himself agreed
A certain foreigner to join,
Who sent him forth to feed the swine,
And he thro' want began to crave
The husks that to the herd he gave;
And to his want none had respect—
But when he did at length reflect,
‘How many a servant man, he said,
‘My father hires, abounds with bread,
‘Nay, can the neighb'ring poor supply,
‘And I am at the point to dye:
‘I will arise, and thus accost
‘My father; father, I am lost
‘By grievous sin to heav'n and thee,
‘Not worthy in the least degree
‘That thou should'st as a son embrace
‘Me, therefore 'mongst thy servants place’
Then he arose, and left the trough,
And when he was a great way off,
His weeping father knew him well,
And ran, and on his neck he fell,
And kiss'd him.—Then he did accost
His father, ‘Father, I am lost,
‘By grievous sin to heav'n and thee’—
But raising him from off his knee,
His father bade the servants bring
The goodliest vestment, and a ring
To put upon his hand, and shoes
Upon his naked feet, and loose
The fatted calf, which they should kill,
Of mirth and cheer to have their fill:
For this, my son, tho' dead to me,
Once more alive again I see,
And my lost hope I have regain'd.—
Then all were glad and entertain'd
Now all the while that this was done,
It happen'd, that the elder son,
Who then was in the field advanc'd,
And heard them, as they sung and danc'd,
And calling of a servant out,
Inquir'd what they was about.—
He said, thy brother's come again,
Thy father has the fattling slain,
As he is safe and sound receiv'd.—
Then he was very wroth and griev'd,
Disdaining to go in a doors.
Then comes his father, and implores
His presence.—But he answ'ring said,
Behold! now many years are fled,
Since thee with all my heart I swerv'd,
Nor ever from thy mandates swerv'd,
And yet I never had th' amends
Of one poor kid to treat my friends;
But soon as this thy son was come,
Who has embezzled such a sum
In lust, and thy affairs distress'd
For him the fatted calf is dress'd.
But he returning, Son, reply'd,
With me you ever do reside,
And all I have is thine—'twas meet
This day with joy and mirth to greet,
For this thy brother, tho' esteem'd
As dead, 's alive, tho' lost, redeem'd.