Their wives were not too keen about it all: <br />beyond the call of duty, so it seemed; <br />for, if they read the heavens' portents so well, <br />what need of proof, of presence at the scene? <br /> <br />And then, to go without due retinue <br />through unforgiving deserts; foreign towns; <br />and forests hiding thieves and wild beasts too? <br />And carrying rich gifts? And worse, their crowns? <br /> <br />And so to risk three kingdoms, not just one? <br />And for the sake of some religious creed <br />not even ours? 'Nay, love - it must be done; <br />we crown our lives and kingdoms with this deed; <br /> <br />these crowns are symbols of our rule on earth, <br />to yield the King of Heaven at His birth.'<br /><br />Michael Shepherd<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/0038-on-the-day-of-christ-s-epiphany/
