FOUR EPIPHANIES.

The Pilgrim-Kings their King have found,

The Wise Men kneel at Wisdom's shrine,

Their royal gifts His Crib surround,

He gives them bread and wine.

One Star has pointed to the Sun,

That men may see and understand

The witness borne by all to One,

Who holds in His Right Hand,

Like lamps that round an altar burn,

All lights that shine, all worlds that be

Crowned are the men whose hearts discern

Their King's Epiphany.

The Child obedient sets His face

To seek His Father's House of Prayer,

With other children takes His place,

And is a learner there.

Two worlds there are; the child to each

Belongs, God's prophet, born to bless;

But not by action, nor by speech,

Simply by winsomeness.

For, like the Child of Bethlehem,

Babes bring their blessing from afar,

Enriching all who wait on them

By being what they are.

A voice from heaven spake aloud,

Heard clearly by the Bridegroom's friend

When, shadowed by the glory-cloud,

He saw the Dove descend.

One Voice has heralded the Word,

That listening men may truly know

What mean all voices they have heard

Above, around, below —

Soft whisperings and laughters loud,

The song of birds, the insects’ hum,

Storm-music of the thunder-cloud —

And be no longer dumb.

That jubilance of bridal mirth,

First felt at Cana, has not ceased;

Christ's Presence still regales the earth,

Still glorifies the feast.

The Ruler of the feast of life

Still with a sacramental sign

Confirms the love of man and wife,

And makes the water wine.

And His the glory still revealed

When lovers plight and keep their vows;

Himself the Bridegroom Who has sealed

The Church to be His Spouse.