The Ballad of God-Makers

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 August 1916, Page 3

The Ballad of God-Makers

I A bird Hew iit tin- break ol day I From the nesl whore it had curled, j And ere the eve the bird iiad set j Fear on the kings of lue world. Tiio first tree it lit upon Was green with leaves unnhed; The second tree it lit upon Was red with apples red; Tlio third tree it lit upon av as barren and was brown, Save for a dead man nailed thereon On a hill above a town. That night the kings of the earth won gay And filled the cup and can; Last night tlie kings of the earth wen chill For dread of a naked man. "IP he speak two more words," thej said, "The slave is more than the free; "lif he (speak three more words," they said, , "The stars arc under the sea " j Said the King- of the East to the King I of the AVest. t wot Ills frown wa.s fiet, let u.s slay liini and make him as dung, It is well that the world forget " •Said the King of the AVest to the lving of the East. I wot his smile was dread. "Nav, let ns slay liim and make him n god, ft is well that our god be dead." Tlicy set the young man on a hill, Thev nailed him to a rod : And there in darkness and in blood They made themselves a god. And the mightiest word was left unsaid, " And the world had uevpr a mark, And the strongest man of the sons of men Wont dumb into the dark. Tlien hymns and harps ot praise tfiey brought. Incense and gold and myrrh. And they thronged above the seraphim, The poor dead carpenter. '"Tliev are the prince of all." they .sang. ''Ocean and earth and air." Then the bird flew on to the cruel cross. And had in the dead man's hair. "Thou art- the sun of the world." they cried, "Speak if our prayers be heard." And the brown bird stirred in the dead man's hair. And it seemed that the dead man stirred. rhen a shriek went up like Hie world's last erv. From all nation* under heaven. And a master fell before a slave And begged to be forgiven. rhey cowed, for dread in his wakened eyes The ancient wrath to see; Vnd the bird flew out of the dead Christ's hair. And lit on a lemon-tree. -From "The \A~ild Knight.'' by (!. K. Chesterton.