"And let us kill the fatted calf,
And all rejoice around;
My son, though dead, now lives again,
Though lost, he now is found."

[Illustration: Healing the Blind.]




XII.


THE TEN VIRGINS.

My kingdom I will liken to
Ten virgins, who to meet
The bridegroom, with their lamps went forth,
With welcome him to greet.

Now five of them were counted _wise_,
For they provision made,
To fill and trim their lamps by night;
The others no oil had.

The bridegroom tarried very long;
This they did not expect,
Their eyes with watch had heavy grown,
They laid them down and slept.