The Sons of the East

They knew from Arabia's Golden past,
From fragments and scrolls that they had amassed,
That a sign, that a star would soon appear
     And testify that a king is here.

"Let us gather gold, frankincense, and myrrh,
And travel west to where the Ancients were.
This star, whose refulgent light is divine,
     Will guide our way as the sacred sign."

Providence led them past a vassal crown,
Then down into Bethlehem's humble town,
'Til alighting softly the star had paused
     Over the place where the child was.

In worship they bowed and rendered him praise,
Seeing in the boy the Ancient of Days—
The Lord from Eternity here on earth,
     Conceived, as it were, by divine birth.

And so, they laid eyes on the king they sought,
And leaving with him the treasures they brought,
They left for the east by a path unknown—
     Each praising God for what they were shown.