WHEN Judas betray’d
His master and Lord,
And the sum that was paid
Through compunction restor’d,
The priests met in council,
Sought mutual advice–
They dar’d not retain it,
Of blood ’twas the price.
At length ’twas agreed
That a field should be bought,
To deposit the dead
Of those who had sought
A sojourn among them,
Though not of their race.
And for them ’twas appointed
A burying-place.
This spot, even now
To travellers shown,
Is still to this day
By its ancient name known.
Then tell me what is it?
I seek for no more.
(Those who Palestine visit
Its precincts explore.)
When Paul the apostle
And Barnabas went
Within Antioch’s walls
(To preach Jesus intent,)
And were driven from thence
By the turbulent Jews,
Who, blind to their int’rest,
The message refuse.
Say next in what city
The gospel they preach,
And what despis’d people
They willingly teach?
For these queries answer’d
Will tell of a place,
Where Israel once fled
From the ememy’s face.
(Elizabeth Hitchener)
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Based on Topics: Faces Poems, Christianity Poems, Place Poems, Education PoemsBased on Keywords: precincts, despis, compunction, restor, deposit, antioch, queries, barnabas, burying-place