Page:Dreams and Images.djvu/146

The King who reigns upon that living throne;
And in the Islands of unchartered seas
The King shall lifted be, that all may know;
And worlds still undiscovered shall bow down
To do Him homage, yet shall hate His name.
For homage goes with hate, and hate will be
The measure of the homage that shall swell
In pæans great around the royal throne."

Fidus looked wond'ring at the Boy Who spoke,
As if the right to build the throne were His
And He could give it to the friend who asked
This only boon, as pledge of love untold.

"And I would build it strong so it could go
O'er sea and land, and last for aye and aye."

"So thou wouldst build the throne?" again the Boy
Half musing spoke. Across His face once more
The Shadow fell; and, as he stood, His hands
He lifted up and out, as if in prayer.
Another Shadow fell upon the ground,
The arms and body strangely like a Cross.
Fidus was silent till the prayer was done.
The sun now set, and all the shadows passed.
They, arm in arm, ran fast to Joseph's house.
But, at the door they paused and, said the Boy:
"Thou must remember ever this thy day
When I the promise gave that I can keep,
For thou shalt build His throne!"

The years passed on,
And Fidus to the Roman hosts returned