The parents traveled all day long, Believing that their Son, Somewhere, among the company, Was coming safely on. But when, at evening, they encamped, And sought for Him around, To their surprise and sore distress, He was not to be found. Still seeking Him they turned their face, And traveled back again, The old road to Jerusalem; But seeking was in vain. For three days long they went about, Within the city lines, Then, in the temple, found the lad, Among the great divines. He sat and heard the doctors talk, And asked them questions wise; And all who listened were amazed At his profound replies. And His parents were astonished When they beheld Him thus, And Mary said: "O why, my son, Hast thou so dealt with us? "Thy father, Joseph, and myself Have three days sought for thee, And sorrowed greatly, fearing we Thy face no more would see." Then Jesus, gravely, said to them: "Wherefore my absence mourn? My Father's work I have to do, Till I to Him return." And Mary, in her inmost heart, Did secretely confine The things He did, the words he spoke, This wondrous Child Divine. And Jesus rich in wisdom grew, As passed the years of youth, And gained the favor of all men, By virtue and by truth. John the Baptist. NOW, in the fifteenth year, when reigned Tiberias Cæsar grand, And Pontius Pilate, under him, Ruled over Judah's land, And three of Herod's sons controlled The regions North and East, And Annas and Caiaphas were Appointed, each, high priest, The word of God came unto John-- Old Zacharias' son-- Who, in Judea's wilderness, Had dwelt and prayed alone. His raiment was of camel's hair, There in his strange retreat, While locusts and wild-honey Comprised his only meat. He preached where flowed the Jordan Down through Judea's land; Saying: "Repent ye, for the kingdom Of heaven is at hand." Now, the people all expecting Their Messiah at that time, Mused in their hearts if John were not That prophet most sublime. So the Jews sent priests and Levites, Down from Jerusalem, To see this new, strange preacher, And closely question him. And, "Who art thou?" they asked of him, And humbly he confessed "I'm not the Christ, looked for by you, Nor with such honor dressed." "What then? Art thou Elias?" He said: "Not that I know." Art thou a risen prophet?" He firmly answered, "No." Then said they: "Tell us who thou art, That we may answer give To them that sent us thither Some knowledge to receive." He said: "I am the voice of one Who through the land doth cry, 'Make straight, as said Esaias, The way of the Most High.'" The messengers were Pharisees, Who said: "Why then baptize, If thou be not the promised Christ, Or he that should arise?"