The last and greatest Herald
JOHN MCCABE
The last and greatest Herald of Heaven's King.
Girt with rough skins, hies to the deserts wild
Among that savage brood the woods forth bring
Which he more harmless found than man, and mild
His food was locusts, and what there doth spring
With honey that from virgin hives distilled
Parched body, hollow eyes, some uncouth thing
Made him appear, long since from earth exiled
There burst he forth, there burst he forth
All ye whose hopes rely on God
With me amidst these deserts mourn
Repent and from old errors turn!
Who listened to his voice, obeyed his cry?
Only the echoes, which he made relent
Rung from their flinty caves, Repent!