-Oh father, is that Jerusalem-
Those walls and towers so strong!â?
-Ho, boy, we are yet in our own fair France,
That is only Avignon.â?
* * * * *
-Oh father, are these the Jordan's banks?
Let us rest in those vineyards fairâ?
-Ho, boy, these are only the banks of the Rhone,
And we may not linger there.â?
* * * * *
-Oh father, I fear them-the waves! the waves!
Is Jerusalem over the sea?â?
-Ay, over the sea and then over the hills-
But cling, my boy, to me.â?
* * * * *
-Oh father, is that Jerusalem,
Like a shell of gold in the bay?â?
Nay, it is only Palermo, boy;
And this is Saint Rosalie's day.â?
* * * * *
-Oh father, I feared the sea, but more
I fear this burning sandâ?
-Good cheer, my boy; take heart of grace,
We tread upon holy land.â?
* * * * *
-Oh father, can it be Holy Land,
With all this blood and death?â?
-That was Acre we stormed, my boy;
Now let us to Nazareth.â?
* * * * *
-Oh father, the hills are so high-so high!
Is Jerusalem very far?â?
-Hush, hush, my boy, and I'll tell you the tale
Of the Kings who followed the Star.â?
* * * * *
-Oh father, the hills are so steep-so steep!
Will Jerusalem soon be near?â?
-Boy, what had it been had you carried the cross,
Instead of your father's spear?â?
* * * * *
-Oh father, I am weary and faint;
This must be Calvary!â?
-Good cheer, my boy; but one hill more;
Jerusalem is nigh.
-The men-at-arms have passed the ridge.
Hark, boy, how the warriors sing!â?
-I only hear the sound of harps,
And waters murmuring.â?
-Wake, boy, this is no time to fail!
Oh best of happy hours!
Behold at length Jerusalem-
Its gates, and domes, and towers!â?
-Father, I see Jerusalem,
Ah, nearer than you deem!â?
-Your eyes are closed, you see it not,
Or see it in a dream!
-Your eyes are closed, my boy, my boy!
Your face is to the West!â?
-Father, I see it overhead,
And, oh, so full of rest!
-There are little children clothed in white,
And angels leading them;
There are streets of gold and gates of pearl!
At last-Jerusalem.
-And our little Marie is beckoning me,
In her hand a diadem.
Father, I must go on before
We'll meet in Jerusalem.â?
The Boy Crusader
James Brunton Stephens
(1)
Poem topics: children, death, dream, happy, heart, star, time, white, hear, strong, pearl, face, sound, Valentine's Day, saint, fear, good, gold, holy, high, Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
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