The Wolf

Long centuries agone — this very day,
In a far wilderness of Syrian sand,
Urging his steed amid an armed band,
The wolf of Benjamin was on the prey.
But lo ! a light, a voice, a thrilling sound,
And where was Saul of Tarsus ? Sternly bound,
A fettered thrall, in darkness there he lay !
Shall he arise and conquer ? can he toil
Once more in war and yet divide the spoil ?
For thus dim Jacob traced the wanderer's way.
Answer, proud Corinth ! stern and stately Rome,
Soft Ephesus, and thou, the populous home
Of many a city, old Galatia ! say, —
Did not the warrior win and wear a conqueror's array ?