EEDEMPTION. 185
Their simple life pursued midst much decay.
A virgin here espoused a Nazarene,
Whose marriage feast, the Mother of the Lord
Adorn'd; and thither, with his chosen few,
Jesus invited came, with pow'r to bless,
And raise to sacrament of the New Law.
White were the fields with tents, where joyous bands
Of youths and maidens, join'd the nuptial sports,
And elders grave their deco'rous presence lent,
Extremes of mirthfulness benign to check.
Humble the festive board was spread ; nor useless forms,
Nor labour'd ornament, friv'lous appear'd;
Mosaic meats, with barley bread, and fruits,
Supply the rural feasts, six days prolong' d,
With sacrificial off 1 rings strict enjoin'd;
And now the seventh dawn'd, to close the rites.
'Twas at the mid-day feast, when festive mirth
Wax'd innocently gay, when age, grown bland,
Rubied with genial smiles and wholesome cheer,
Seem'd redient to youth, the wine gave out.
Discreet, the Mother whisper'd to the Son,
With meaning in her tone They have no wine.
A row of urns, for legal washings meant,
Stand empty near the place. These, at his word,
The ready waiters now with water fill,
And, wond'ring, rest, to learn what new command,
The Son of Mary next might give, or see,
By what strange pow'r, from water, he the feast
Should grace with wine. Wonder, unheard before !
Nor sound, nor sign, bespoke the change he wrought;
For He, who once on chaos breath'd, and earth,
All living things, fruitbearing trees, and vines
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