The Elder Son

AMY CAROLINE THROSSELL

He came; and from afar I heard
The noise of dancing and the din of making merry,
And with scorn and pride of heart
I spurned the foolishness of those who welcomed him,—
The hapless ne'er-do-well,—who came through urge
Of hunger and of thirst, back to his father's dwelling.
And I, without, stood listening. I heard the voice
Of righteous self speak thus to me:
"Aha, aha, thou faithful one,
Through all the years the measure full of toil
And faithful service has been thine;
Where now is thy reward? He goeth in before
To feast in plenteous ease, who naught has given
Into his father's hand. What sayest thou of this?"
While thus I waited, saw I then my father's face;
I heard his voice, entreating me to come
And share the feast of plenty.
Then, through the maze of wretchedness and woe,
I heard a voiceless message, and the word came to me there:
"Son, thou art ever with me, all I have is thine;
Come, lift thine eyes, rejoice, thou too art mine."