IV
It was in the heart of winter cold,
When the moon is old,
And snow on the lea.
I leaned from my window
And heard the sea
Ring like brass, when deep is tolled
The bourdon of Christ's nativity.
The Christmas world its page unrolled
For my pagan eyes to see.
Sheep held close in their sparkling fold,
And the ice-mailed tree
Glistened, . . . as tho' God leaned, and set
Crystal tapers, with diamond fret;
A holy festal tree made it,
Whose candles the moon lit!
When the moon is old,
And snow on the lea.
I leaned from my window
And heard the sea
Ring like brass, when deep is tolled
The bourdon of Christ's nativity.
The Christmas world its page unrolled
For my pagan eyes to see.
Sheep held close in their sparkling fold,
And the ice-mailed tree
Glistened, . . . as tho' God leaned, and set
Crystal tapers, with diamond fret;
A holy festal tree made it,
Whose candles the moon lit!
34
