The Angels And man, at war with man, hears not And hear the angels sing! And ye, beneath life's crushing load, For lo! the days are hastening on And the whole world give back the song Which now the angels sing. 207 Edmund Hamilton Sears [1810-1876] THE ANGELS From "Flowers of Sion" RUN, shepherds, run where Bethlehem blest appears. A Saviour there is born more old than years, In a poor cottage inned, a virgin maid, A weakling did him bear, who all upbears; There is he poorly swaddled, in manger laid, To whom too narrow swaddlings are our spheres: Thus singing, through the air the angels swarm, William Drummond [1585-1649] THE BURNING BABE As I in hoary winter's night To view what fire was near, Who, scorched with excessive heat, Such floods of tears did shed, As though His floods should quench His flames, "Alas!" quoth He, "but newly born In fiery heats I fry, Yet none approach to warm their hearts "My faultless breast the furnace is; The ashes, shames and scorns; The fuel Justice layeth on, And Mercy blows the coals, The metal in this furnace wrought Are men's defilèd souls: For which, as now on fire I am To work them to their good, So will I melt into a bath, To wash them in blood." With this He vanished out of sight And swiftly shrunk away, And straight I called unto mind That it was Christmas Day. Robert Southwell [1561?-1595] Christmas Carol 209 TRYSTE NOËL THE OX he openeth wide the Doore, And from the Snowe he calls her inne, And he hath seen her Smile therefor, Our Ladye without Sinne. Now soone from Sleep A Starre shall leap, And soone arrive both King and Hinde: But O, the Place co'd I but finde! The Ox hath hushed his voyce and bent And on his lovelie Neck, forspent, Full Warme and Sweete His bowerie Breath doth meeklie dwell: But sore am I with Vaine Travel! The Ox is host in Judah stall And Host of more than onelie one, For close she gathereth withal Our Lorde her littel Sonne. Glad Hinde and King Their Gyfte may bring, But wo'd to-night my Teares were there, Amen, Amen: Between her Bosom and His hayre! Louise Imogen Guiney [1861 CHRISTMAS CAROL As Joseph was a-waukin', "His birth-bed shall be neither "He neither shall be rocked That lieth in the mould.. "He neither shall be washen "He neither shall be clothed As Joseph was a-waukin', Then be you glad, good people, For His star it shineth clear. Unknown "BRIGHTEST AND BEST OF THE SONS OF THE MORNING" BRIGHTEST and best of the Sons of the morning! Star of the East, the horizon adorning, Guide where our Infant Redeemer is laid! Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining, Angels adore Him in slumber reclining, Maker and Monarch and Saviour of all! Christmas Bells Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion, Odors of Edom and offerings divine? Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean, Vainly we offer each ample oblation; Vainly with gifts would His favor secure: Richer by far is the heart's adoration; Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor. Brightest and best of the Sons of the morning! Guide where our Infant Redeemer is laid! 211 Reginald Heber [1783-1826] CHRISTMAS BELLS I HEARD the bells on Christmas Day And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And thought how, as the day had come, Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Till, ringing, singing on its way, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Then from each black, accursed mouth The carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men! |