University of Virginia Library


26

CHRISTMAS TREES.

The white trees for Christmas
They light the short day
Pear-bloom and cherry-bloom,
White lilac and May,
In lace and frozen silver,
As fair as brides be,
And white bloom at Christmas
Makes many a Christmas Tree.
And what shall hang the branches
Of trees white as snow?
Strings of pearls and crystals
And diamonds arow.
And He will laugh to see them,
The Babe of little price,
Whose toys are moon and planets
On Trees of Paradise.
Here let us hang to please Him
The Gifts the Kings bring:
The nard, the gold, the silver,
And for a Baby Thing,
The gifts of simple Shepherds,
A ball, a pipe to blow,
The pretty sheep and oxen,
The Stable in the snow.

27

Light up with lamps all burning
Cold branches above
The hearts of men adoring
That are consumed with love!
The hair of Mother Mary
To weave a gold nest:
The wings of small angels
And the Stars for the rest.