Now churches are leafy, Now evergreens reign; 'Tis green Burnam wood Come to gray Dunsinane! Now the night it is starry And lavishly go In a largess of music The bells thro' the snow. Now burn the decanters Like turrets that rise All garnet in sunset Of orient skies. O, snugged in the Valley, A homestead of hearts! Love flies like a shuttle, And knits while it darts. Brown brothers, fair sisters, Bright cousins and all, Keeping Christmas at table, The large and the small. But a kinswoman glideth, Infantile in grace, Sits down and is silent -- Medallion in place! O, the hearth is like ruby, The curtains they glow; But she who sits sadly Her story we know: The blossom of orange Turned cypress so soon! Child-bride of the May-time Child-widow in June! Snow-white is her raiment; And sorrow so mild, An elf-sorrow seemeth, As she an elf-child. In patience she sitteth; Tho' cometh no balm, She floats, holy lily, On waters of calm. Come pass the decanter! Our hearts let us cheer, Yea, I wish Merry Christmas -- But let her not hear! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GOOD COMPANY by KARLE WILSON BAKER THE VISION OF SIR LAUNFAL by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL A BOY'S MOTHER by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY ADVICE TO A LADY [IN AUTUMN] by PHILIP DORMER STANHOPE SONG OF THE ANGELS AT THE NATIVITY by NAHUM TATE SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 4. THE OLD VALLEY by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) |