Across the sea, along the shore, <br />In numbers more and ever more, <br />From lonely hut and busy town, <br />The valley through, the mountain down, <br />What was it ye went out to see, <br />Ye silly folk Galilee? <br />The reed that in the wind doth shake? <br />The weed that washes in the lake? <br />The reeds that waver, the weeds that float? <br />A young man preaching in a boat. <br />What was it ye went out to hear <br />By sea and land from far and near? <br />A teacher? Rather seek the feet <br />Of those who sit in Moses' seat. <br />Go humbly seek, and bow to them, <br />Far off in great Jerusalem. <br />From them that in her courts ye saw, <br />Her perfect doctors of the law, <br />What is it came ye here to note? <br />A young man preaching in a boat. <br /> <br />A prophet! Boys and women weak! <br />Declare, or cease to rave; <br />Whence is it he hath learned to speak? <br />Say, who his doctrine gave? <br />A prophet? Prophet wherefore he <br />Of all in Israel tribes? <br />He teacheth with authority, <br />And not as do the Scribes.<br /><br />Arthur Hugh Clough<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/across-the-sea-along-the-shore/
