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Ixxxiii |
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proclaimed to the Gentiles the birth of our Saviour. At the time of its appearance also there was a general expectation that the fulfilment of the prophecy respecting the birth of Christ was at hand. But this is matter of too serious a nature to be discussed in a work of the present description, which must treat of the traditionary history only of the three kings; and if some of my readers may surmise that part of it has the appearance of fable, in good sooth I cannot vouch for its veracity. It is as I found it.
The Venerable Bede, in the 7th century, is the first writer in this country who gives a particular description of them, which he probably took from some earlier tradition. Melchior, the first, was old, and had grey hair, with a long beard; he offered gold to Christ, in acknowledgment of his sovereignty. Gaspar, or Jasper, who was young and had no beard, offered frankincense, in recognition of the divinity of our Lord. Balthazar, the third, was of a dark or black complexion, as a Moor, with a large spreading beard, and offered myrrh to our Saviour's humanity; according to these lines in " Festa Anglo-Romana," p. 7.
Tres Reges Regi Regum, tria dona ferebant;
Myrrham Homini, Uncto aurura, thura dedere Deo.
Or, as Sandys gives them,
Three kings, the King of Kings, three gifts did briug; Myrrh, incense, gold, as to Man, God, a King. Three holy gifts be likewise given by thee To Christ, even such as acceptable be. For myrrha tears ; for frankincense, impart Submissive prayers ; for pure gold, a pure heart.*
Bede also describes their dresses, &c.; and in numerous old pictures and popular representations, |
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* Sandys's Travels, p. 141. |
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