Classic Poem

As those twelve spies, by Moses sent, returned
With clustered grapes—those glowing grapes that shook
Their globes of sunlight over Eschol's brook;
With smooth pomegranates that had slowly burned
Through golden rind with inner ruby fire;
And purple figs: so to the camp there came
Retief's two messengers who gladly bore
Of tropic fruits a goodly and welcome store—
Bananas brown and barred with yellow flame
Like the puff-adder's coat (that serpent dire
Which backward strikes), with paw-paws, green
As the bush-mamba's skin of emerald sheen,
A fruit whose inner gold to sight and taste
Gives equal joy.
The messengers in haste
Gave, with their offerings ambrosial,
Glad tidings of Retief's great ride as well
And his successful quest. The camp went wild,
Youth laughed and danced and old age bobbed and smiled.
Retief's young daughter on a rock near by
Boldly inscribed in paint his cherished name;
And fervent Smit, heedless of coughs and sighs
From tired hearers, proceeded to sermonize,
Reciting with the thunder of a lion—
‘When the Lord turned the captivity of Sion!’