THE LEGEND OF THE BABOUSHKA
401
The strange star went before them,
They followed where it led;
"'Twill guide us to His presence,"
Jasper, the holy, said.
They followed where it led;
"'Twill guide us to His presence,"
Jasper, the holy, said.
They crossed deep-flowing rivers,
They climbed the mountains high,
They slept in dreary places
Under the lonely sky.
They climbed the mountains high,
They slept in dreary places
Under the lonely sky.
One day, where stretched the desert
Before them far and wide,
They saw a smoke-wreath curling
A spreading palm beside;
Before them far and wide,
They saw a smoke-wreath curling
A spreading palm beside;
And from a lowly dwelling,
On household cares intent,
A woman gazed upon them,
In mute bewilderment.
On household cares intent,
A woman gazed upon them,
In mute bewilderment.
"O come with us!?" cried Melchior,
And ardent Balthazar,
"We go to find the Christ-child,
Led by yon blazing star!
And ardent Balthazar,
"We go to find the Christ-child,
Led by yon blazing star!
"Thou knowest how the prophets
His coming long foretold;
We go to kneel before Him
With gifts of myrrh and gold."
His coming long foretold;
We go to kneel before Him
With gifts of myrrh and gold."
But she, delaying, answered,
"My lords, your words are good,
And I your pious mission
Have gladly understood,
"My lords, your words are good,
And I your pious mission
Have gladly understood,
