THE CHRISTMAS NIGHT

WRAPPED was the world in slumber deep,

By seaward valley and cedarn steep,

And bright and blest were the dreams of its sleep; All the hours of that wonderful night-tide through The stars outblossomed in fields of blue,

A heavenly Chaplet, to diadem

The King in the manger of Bethlehem.

Out on the hills the shepherds lay, Wakeful, that never a lamb might stray, Humble and clean of heart were they; Thus it was given them to hear Marvellous harpings strange and clear, Thus it was given them to see

The heralds of the nativity.

In the dim-lit stable the mother mild Looked with holy eyes on her child, Cradled him close to her heart and smiled; Kingly purple nor crown had he,

Never a trapping of royalty;

But Mary saw that the baby’s head

With a slender nimbus was garlanded.

97