 | Poetical Works of Lionel Johnson |  |
195
CAROLS
To the Rev. Fr. Russell, S.J.
I
Fair snow and winter wind,
Be not unkind
To this your King!
Fall soft, and murmur mild,
About the Child:
Lest His first hour be suffering.
Be not unkind
To this your King!
Fall soft, and murmur mild,
About the Child:
Lest His first hour be suffering.
See! with large, gentle eyes,
Close where He lies,
Look ox and ass:
They bow their patient, meek
Heads to the weak
Lamb, Who to sacrifice must pass.
Close where He lies,
Look ox and ass:
They bow their patient, meek
Heads to the weak
Lamb, Who to sacrifice must pass.
Soon shall come Cross and Crown
In Salem Town:
But now at least,
Rocked upon Mary's breast,
Let Jesu rest:
And all the earth keep Christmas Feast.
In Salem Town:
But now at least,
Rocked upon Mary's breast,
Let Jesu rest:
And all the earth keep Christmas Feast.
With Him your sorrows sleep.
No longer weep,
O pectora mortalia!
Sing you the Angel Song,
Sing loud and long!
Sing: In Excelsis Gloria!
No longer weep,
O pectora mortalia!
Sing you the Angel Song,
Sing loud and long!
Sing: In Excelsis Gloria!
1895.
196
II
To the Rev. Fr. Dawson, O.M.I.
Say, what saw you, Man?
And say, what heard?
I saw, while Angels sang,
Jesus the Word.
And say, what heard?
I saw, while Angels sang,
Jesus the Word.
Saw you aught else, Man?
Aught else heard you?
I saw the Son of Man,
And the wind blew.
Aught else heard you?
I saw the Son of Man,
And the wind blew.
Saw you beside, Man?
Or heard beside?
I saw, while murderers mockea,
The Crucified.
Or heard beside?
I saw, while murderers mockea,
The Crucified.
Nay! what is this, Man?
And who is He?
The Holy Child must die
For you and me.
And who is He?
The Holy Child must die
For you and me.
Oh! say, Brother! Oh! say, Brother!
What then shall be?
Home in His Sacred Heart
For you and me.
What then shall be?
Home in His Sacred Heart
For you and me.
Oh! what can we give, Brother!
For such a thing?
Body and soul, Brother!
To Christ the King.
For such a thing?
Body and soul, Brother!
To Christ the King.
1896.
| Poetical Works of Lionel Johnson | |