BESIDE A FAIR Y FIRE. 249
And there s wailing at Sam s, and the cat s gone
away,
And a big country-house has a mistress to-day; So I fancy that Sammy had hit on the truth, And the quarrel was ended between Lot and Ruth.
��BESIDE A FAIRY FIRE.
IF Christmas-time could only seem As it used to do, lang syne ; If one could keep their dreams, awake ; If beaded bubbles would not break Over the ebbing wine ;
If one could hear in fancy now
The reindeer on the roof, And know the merry nearing clank Beside a stocking long and lank
Would stop for our behoof;
If one could tiptoe out of bed With such a lightsome heart,
To find some jolly, kindly saint,
In memory of legend quaint, Once more had done his part ;
If one could hang a stocking now Beside some fairy fire,
�� �
