The King

There was a king of elder days Who wrought mens hearts and led their ways. He counciled them both fair and true. He loved them more than most men knew. He sat enthroned, though not of stone His seat was made. He made a home And dwelt within the hearts of men. He loved them till the very end. And them time came when men first scorned The love with which He had adorned Their heads so fair and feet so swift. They utterly despised His gift. Of boasting, they forgot their king And left His land t'ward suffering. Arrogant, they wrought with iron And made such things as they desired. There came a day, when sword so fell And bow unloosed, released a hell, And war began upon the earth, And other things of little worth. The king, He watched from far away And turned His head in much dismay. The men He loved, now turning loose Their wrath and fear and anger too. He watched as, slain, His people fell And began to love a darker hell. His well of love, they soon forgot And fell enthralled to hate, begot Anew. Inside their hearts, It dwelt As many saw and heard and felt. The king, though full of sorrow for The ones He loved, He knew much more. He knew the hate that they had served Could not face love undeserved. He sent therefore a ransom price. His son He sent with solemn eyes. "Go, therefore, my son," He said "I send you with a news of dread. That, die you might, while others live. That soon they might begin to give The love of which they long have lost And search again at any cost." The son, He left, and took the place Of thrall, of slave, of servant base. To them He showed again the love Of which His father told Him of. But they slew Him like they slew the rest. The loved Him not and beat their chests. In pride they killed the kings own heir. The king, however, planned that there His son should rise again as day And then to all, make known the way. And Thus it happened, plain and clear For all to see and all to hear. The son again, rose like the morn And paved the way to kingdom shorn. For shorn it was when hates deep rift Tore to pieces the kings great gift. Mended it was when morning came. The son then said to those of blame, "Follow me and live no more The way which you have lived before. The king now offers love and grace To those who look upon my face And seek no more the ways of hate, But seek the way unto His gate. He welcomes there and free forgives And him who follows me will live." Then He went and left that place And headed t'ward His father's grace That ancient king lives to this day By time undaunted, In His way He watches over from afar; From with His son to where we are.