Poems (Kimball)/"While all around the Happy Earth"

by Harriet McEwen Kimball

"WHILE ALL AROUND THE HAPPY EARTH."

WHILE all around the happy earth
 The Christmas bells are pealing clear,
And countless voices carol forth
The tidings of the Christ-Child's birth,
 I know your heart is hushed to hear
 The choir of angels drawing near,
As in the olden time descending
To sing the song that knows no ending:
"Gloria in Excelsis."

The merry tumult of the time,
 The gifts poured out, the greetings sweet,
The Christmas greens in fragrant prime,
The happy haste, the vocal chime,
 As friend with friend together meet,
 The countless sounds of hearth and street,
All in your thoughts unconscious blending
Echo the song that knows no ending:
"Gloria in Excelsis."

So touched by all, yet undelayed
 By mirth that swayeth to and fro,
Through paths by meditation made
More fair than fairest sylvan shade,
 I know to Bethlehem even now
 Straightway in holy haste you go,
And o'er the Babe in worship bending
You join the song that knows no ending:
"Gloria in Excelsis."

O priest belovèd! where you lead
 Could your poor flock but follow on,
We, too, should find the Lord indeed;
No longer would you vainly plead,
 But every soul to Him be won;
 In every heart His reign begun;
And all our lives with your life blending
Chime evermore the song unending:
"Gloria in Excelsis."