78
POEMS.
Yet rugged and stern though my nature seem,
I joy in the ringing laugh,
And the misletoe wakens bright thoughts I ween,
As it twines round my ancient staff;
And hearts are glad as my end draws near,
For they cherish this truth right well,
That with smiles and glad voices and festal cheer,
They must ring out my parting knell.
And young lips chaunt 'mid the dance's chain,
"Merry December, we hail thee again."
I joy in the ringing laugh,
And the misletoe wakens bright thoughts I ween,
As it twines round my ancient staff;
And hearts are glad as my end draws near,
For they cherish this truth right well,
That with smiles and glad voices and festal cheer,
They must ring out my parting knell.
And young lips chaunt 'mid the dance's chain,
"Merry December, we hail thee again."
When the yule log blazes in cot and hall,
With its ruddy and cheerful light,
When the holly-bough decks the pictured wall,
And blushes and smiles are bright,
Let my coming, ye earth-born, bring kindly aid
To those who your bounty need,
From the feast that to honour me well ye've made,
Cast some crumbs to the poor that plead;
Let not their prayer for your pity be vain,
So shall they yearn for December again.
With its ruddy and cheerful light,
When the holly-bough decks the pictured wall,
And blushes and smiles are bright,
Let my coming, ye earth-born, bring kindly aid
To those who your bounty need,
From the feast that to honour me well ye've made,
Cast some crumbs to the poor that plead;
Let not their prayer for your pity be vain,
So shall they yearn for December again.
May care at my death from each bosom pass,
Nor leave on a brow its trace,
While the rich wine mantles in sparkling glass
'Mid many a joyous face,
As a parting song from the young and gay
Falls cheeringly sweet on my ear,
Nor leave on a brow its trace,
While the rich wine mantles in sparkling glass
'Mid many a joyous face,
As a parting song from the young and gay
Falls cheeringly sweet on my ear,
