OLD ENGLISH CAROL

As Joseph was a-walking
  He heard an angel sing:—­
“This night there shall be born
  Our heavenly King.

“He neither shall be born
  In housen, nor in hall,
Nor in the place of Paradise,
  But in an ox’s stall.

“He neither shall be clothed
  In purple nor in pall;
But in the fair, white linen,
  That usen babies all.

“He neither shall be rocked
  In silver nor in gold,
But in a wooden cradle
  That rocks on the mould.

“He neither shall be christened
  In white wine nor in red,
But with fair spring water
  With which we were christened.”

Mary took her baby,
  She dressed Him so sweet,
She laid Him in a manger,
  All there for to sleep.

As she stood over Him
  She heard angels sing,
“O bless our dear Saviour,
  Our heavenly King.”

THE PEACEFUL NIGHT

JOHN MILTON

But peaceful was the night
Wherein the Prince of Light
  His reign of peace upon the earth began. 
The winds with wonder whist,
Smoothly the waters kist,
  Whispering new joys to the mild Ocean,—­
Who now hath quite forgot to rave,
While birds of calm sit brooding on the charmed wave.

The stars, with deep amaze,
Stand fixed in steadfast gaze,
  Bending one way their precious influence;
And will not take their flight,
For all the morning light,
  Or Lucifer that often warned them thence;
But in their glimmering orbs did glow,
Until their Lord himself bespake, and bid them
  go.

And, though the shady gloom
Had given day her room,
  The sun himself withheld his wonted speed,
And hid his head for shame,
As his inferior flame
  The new-enlightened world no more should need: 
He saw a greater Sun appear
Than his bright throne or burning axletree could bear.

THE CHRISTMAS SILENCE

MARGARET DELAND

Hushed are the pigeons cooing low
  On dusty rafters of the loft;
  And mild-eyed oxen, breathing soft,
Sleep on the fragrant hay below.

Dim shadows in the corner hide;
  The glimmering lantern’s rays are shed
  Where one young lamb just lifts his head,
Then huddles ’gainst his mother’s side.

Strange silence tingles in the air;
  Through the half-open door a bar
  Of light from one low-hanging star
Touches a baby’s radiant hair.

No sound:  the mother, kneeling, lays
  Her cheek against the little face. 
  Oh human love!  Oh heavenly grace! 
’Tis yet in silence that she prays!

Ages of silence end to-night;
  Then to the long-expectant earth
  Glad angels come to greet His birth
In burst of music, love, and light!

NEIGHBORS OF THE CHRIST NIGHT