Poem by Vachel Lindsay

Where Is David, the Next King of Israel?

Where is David? . . . O God’s people, 
Saul has passed, the good and great. 
Mourn for Saul the first-anointed — 
Head and shoulders o’er the state. 

He was found among the Prophets: 
Judge and monarch, merged in one. 
But the wars of Saul are ended 
And the works of Saul are done. 

Where is David, ruddy shepherd, 
God’s boy-king for Israel? 
Mystic, ardent, dowered with beauty, 
Singing where still waters dwell? 

Prophet, find that destined minstrel 
Wandering on the range to-day, 
Driving sheep and crooning softly 
Psalms that cannot pass away. 

”David waits,” the prophet answers, 
”In a black notorious den, 
In a cave upon the border 
With four hundred outlaw men. 

”He is fair, and loved of women, 
Mighty-hearted, born to sing: 
Thieving, weeping, erring, praying, 
Radiant royal rebel-king. 

”He will come with harp and psaltry, 
Quell his troop of convict swine, 
Quell his mad-dog roaring rascals, 
Witching them with words divine — 

”They will ram the walls of Zion! 
They will win us Salem hill, 
All for David, Shepherd David — 
Singing like a mountain rill!”

1. To the United States Senate
2. To Reformers in Despair
3. The Perfect Marriage
4. On the Building of Springfield
5. Upon Returning to the Country Road

Print

1243 Views

Last Poems

To Russian version