THE RHYME OF SOLOMON’S DAUGHTER
"The stars, the stars, they glimmer and gleam, And leave me nor peace nor rest. Of Earth the secrets I have found, The skies be now my quest." So spoke King Solomon the Great, And to his watch tower rose To gaze upon the starry skies And read what they disclose. Now Solomon a daughter had And dear to him was she, And as he gazed upon the stars, Her fate he clear did see. "Now, woe is me," the monarch wept, "I see my child must wed The poorest man in Israel,- Oh, better she were dead! "But I will thwart the base decree," The wrathful monarch cried, "No wretched beggar shall possess My daughter for a bride." Then in the desert Solomon A tower tall did rear, And in the topmost room he lodged His daughter, fair and dear. And for a guard he placed therein Three score Eunuchs and ten, And frowning down in angry wise He thus enjoined the men: "My jewel to you I now entrust, Mark well what I do say, Should any stranger see her face, Your heads the crime shall pay." The days, the weeks, the months roll onThe maid in patience doth rest, For great is her trust that her sire is just, And doeth all for the best. II. Now once there chanced to pass a youth, Who roamed all worn and spent; He spied an ox's skeleton And there to rest he went. At night there came a monstrous bird And with his massive strength, He raised the skeleton and laid It on the tower at length. The sun arose, the youth emerged In wonder and great fear, And then he saw a lovely maid Advancing to him near. She gazed awhile in wonder mute, Then rose her accents clear, "Art welcome, stranger, to my home! What fate doth bring thee here?" "A poor and wandering youth am I, Some star my course did steer. Last night on yon bare sand I lay, The morning finds me here." She calls the slaves to serve her guest, Who soon new garb doth don; And when she sees the handsome youth Her maiden heart is won. And thus to the youthful twain upon That solitary height There opened up a splendent world Lit up by love's sweet light. "Hast ravished my heart, my sister, my bride, Thus sang thy father the King." "My love is mine and I am his, Thus did my father sing." "But ah, thy sire will fiercely frown Should he our love surprise." "Then let us seal our yearning hearts With solemn marriage ties."