As evening fell on Nazareth’s burning street Each day these two would wander out alone; And by the well, or in a quiet glade Seated, would hold their talk, with none to hear. Yet converse scarce it was; with ears intent, Fidus did always listen, while the Boy Poured out a tale of Kings and Prophets old; Of marvels that they worked to testify Unto a King whom yet the earth would see, A King of all Judea and the world; Whose glory, mounting even to the stars Would dim with rich effulgence, their great light. The Sun of Justice He, the Moon of night That had for ages settled o’er the earth. He told of wonders that the King would do Before He mounted to His mighty throne. He told of love surpassing every love That earth had seen, and of His Kingdom wide; Till all on fire Fidus hung’red to see The King Himself, and worship at His throne. “A Roman though I am,” he oft would cry, “Thy King I’d welcome and for Him I’d serve.” “Yet thou art craftsman and no soldier thou.” “A craftsman too can serve his loyal due.” “How wouldst thou serve?” the Boy inquiring spoke. “When Joseph bids me go, that I can learn no more, This I can do--to build for Him His throne.” The Shadow swept across the boyish face-- The Shadow Fidus once had seen before; And he was silent, for in awe he stood When that mysterious shade shut off the light That shone out from the radiant brow. The Shadow was not fear, nor dread of death; But dread of something worse than death could bring. It was as if a lily, broken, bent, But yet unsullied, now was stained with filth By impious hand; more cruel far than death The marring of the whiteness death had spared: Or like a stream, that through its mountain bed Had raced unfettered, toward the amber sea, And o’er the rapids and the pebbles dashed Clear, cold and placid when the mouth is reached; Then, death unfeared before it, ready now To give back to the ocean all it gave, Into its pureness poured a stream so dark That tainted all its life, when life was lost. ’Twas thus the Shadow seemed; but soon it passed, And smiling boyhood turned a happy face The while he said: “So thou wouldst build His throne? But dost thou know the form that throne will take?” “’T will be a throne,” Fidus replied, “so high That all may see Him, while from it He reigns, And know that He has come unto His own.”