The Magi

From a far country – how far? Very far:

It grows, for instance, cinnamon and cocoa -

Three kings, their robes rococo or barocco,

Followed their leader – viz., that big bright star.

Each Magus had, like any czar or tsar,

Guards, steeds, a page, a clown with painted boko,

Coaches, a camel, and in leisured loco-

Motion they swayed towards where the Hebrews are.

They reached the stable with their caravan

One morning, evening, noon or afternoon,

With gifts – incense for God, and myrrh for man.

For Christ as king they had a gold doubloon -

Proper, they thought, for the top Christian.

They were, it seems, some centuries too soon.