Dirge for Aoine and other poems :: :: University of Virginia Library

Baby Christ in the manger
Lay, with kine around.
Softer than the woven silk,
Warm as love, and white as milk
Mary's arms He found;
Snowflakes through the broken roof
Made strewings for the ground.

Little Christ in the garden
Lay, and laughed to greet
Roses of a hundred leaves,
Red as skies on frosty eves,
Damask-red and sweet.
It was but a dying rose
Made strewings for His feet.

Man Christ into the city
Through Hosannas rode:
Grey old mothers prayed for Him,
Tall centurions stayed for Him,
Herds forgot the goad;
Man and babe and maid for Him
Green palm-branches strowed.

xiv

Thus have I wrought my carol
Out of drifted snow,
Strewings of red rose-leaves fair,
Palms that greenly grow.
Let us make to-night for Thee
Cold hearths kind and bright for Thee,
Wash our stained hearts white for Thee,
Lattices make light for Thee,
Child, and Man, and Saviour,
As of long ago.