http://www.arcamax.com/fiction/b-1332-1
Christmas in Legend and Story
CHRISTMAS IN LEGEND AND STORY
Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes Wherein our Saviour's
birth, is celebrated, The bird of dawning singeth all night long: And
then, they say, no spirit dares stir abroad; The nights are wholesome;
then no planets strike, No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm,
So hallow'd and so gracious is the time.
SHAKESPEARE.
CHRISTMAS IN LEGEND AND STORY
A BOOK FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
COMPILED BY
ELVA S. SMITH
CARNEGIE LIBRARY PITTSBURGH
AND
ALICE I. HAZELTINE
PUBLIC LIBRARY ST. LOUIS
ILLUSTRATED FROM FAMOUS PAINTINGS
1915
CHRISTMAS IN LEGEND AND STORY
PREFACE
In our experience in library work with children we have learned that
it is very difficult to find Christmas stories and legends which have
literary merit, are reverent in spirit, and are also suitable for
children. This collection has been made in an endeavor to meet this
need, and thus to be of service to parents, teachers, and librarians.
Most of the stories and poems in this book are of the legendary type.
They have been chosen from a wide variety of sources and represent the
work of many writers. There are other stories also, which, although
not strictly traditional, have the same reverent spirit and illustrate
traditional beliefs and customs. These have been included for their
literary value and their interest for young people.
In the arrangement of the selections we have followed the natural
order of the events in preference to grouping the stories for boys and
girls of different ages.
Although no attempt has been made to adapt the legends for
story-telling, most of them may be used for that purpose. Many of the
selections are also well suited for reading aloud.
Above all it is hoped that this book may bring real joy to the boys
and girls for whom it has been compiled.
ELVA S. SMITH,
CATALOGUER OF CHILDREN'S BOOKS,
CARNEGIE LIBRARY OF PITTSBURGH.
ALICE I. HAZELTINE,
SUPERVISOR OF CHILDREN'S WORK,
ST. LOUIS PUBLIC LIBRARY.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The compilers wish to thank Mrs. Margaret Deland for permission to use
"The Christmas Silence;" Mrs. Etta Austin McDonald for her adaptation
of Coppee's "Sabot of Little Wolff" from "The Child Life Fifth
Reader;" Josephine Preston Peabody for "The Song of a Shepherd-Boy at
Bethlehem;" Mrs. William Sharp for "The Children of Wind and the Clan
of Peace," by Fiona Macleod; Nora Archibald Smith and the editors of
the _Outlook_ for "The Haughty Aspen;" and the editors of _Good
Housekeeping Magazine,_ Little, Brown & Company and Mrs. Velma
Swanston Howard for her translation of "The Legend of the Christmas
Rose," by Selma Lagerloef, taken from _Good Housekeeping Magazine_,
copyright, 1907. Copyright, 1910, by Little, Brown & Company.
Thanks are also due to the following publishers for permission to
reprint poems and stories on which they hold copyright: The Century
Company for four selections from _St. Nicholas_, "The Little Gray
Lamb" by A.B. Sullivan, "A Christmas Legend" by Florence Scannell,
"Felix" by Evaleen Stein, "The Child Jesus in the Garden;" The
Churchman Company for "The Blooming of the White Thorn" by Edith M.
Thomas; Doubleday, Page & Company for "Neighbors of the Christ Night"
by Nora Archibald Smith; E.P. Dutton & Company for "The Sin of the
Prince Bishop" by William Canton; Ginn & Company for "Christmas Carol"
from "Open Sesame;" Mr. William Heinemann for "The Flight into Egypt"
by Selma Lagerloef; Houghton Mifflin Company for "The Child Born at
Bethlehem" by H.E. Scudder, "The Christmas Song of Caedmon" by H.E.G.
Pardee, "The Little Mud-Sparrows" by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps.
"St. Christopher of the Gael" and "The Cross of the Dumb" are included
through the courtesy of Messrs. Duffield & Company. From "Poems and
Dramas" by Fiona Macleod, copyright, 1901, 1903, 1907, by Thomas B.
Mosher; 1910 by Duffield & Company.
The selection "Christmas at Greccio" from "God's Troubadour" by Sophie
Jewett is included by special arrangement with T.Y. Crowell Company.
"The Little Friend" by Abbie Farwell Brown, "Christmas Hymn" by R.W.
Gilder, "The Three Kings" by H.W. Longfellow, and "The Star Bearer" by
E.C. Stedman are included by special arrangement with Houghton Mifflin
Company; and "The Three Kings of Cologne" by Eugene Field, and "Earl
Sigurd's Christmas Eve" by H.H. Boyesen, by special arrangement with
Charles Scribner's Sons.
The story of St. Christopher is taken chiefly from the "Golden
Legend," but a few suggestions for its adaptation were obtained from a
version by Olive Logan.
CONTENTS
"THE GRACIOUS TIME"
THE ADORATION OF THE SHEPHERDS ST. LUKE, II, 1-16
THE CHILD BORN AT BETHLEHEM HORACE ELISHA SCUDDER
AS JOSEPH WAS A-WALKING OLD ENGLISH CAROL
THE PEACEFUL NIGHT JOHN MILTON
THE CHRISTMAS SILENCE MARGARET DELAND
NEIGHBORS OF THE CHRIST NIGHT NORA ARCHIBALD SMITH
CHRISTMAS CAROL FROM THE NEAPOLITAN
A CHRISTMAS HYMN RICHARD WATSON GILDER
THE SONG OF A SHEPHERD--BOY AT BETHLEHEM JOSEPHINE PRESTON PEABODY
THE FIRST CHRISTMAS ROSES ADAPTED FROM AN OLD LEGEND
THE LITTLE GRAY LAMB ARCHIBALD BERESFORD SULLIVAN
THE HOLY NIGHT ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING
THE STAR BEARER EDMUND CLARENCE STEDMAN
THE VISIT OF THE WISE MEN ST. MATTHEW, II, 1-12
THE THREE KINGS HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW
THE THREE HOLY KINGS ADAPTED FROM THE GOLDEN LEGEND, AND OTHER SOURCES
THE THREE KINGS OF COLOGNE EUGENE FIELD
BABOUSCKA ADELAIDE SKEEL
THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT SELMA LAGERLOeF
THE HAUGHTY ASPEN NORA ARCHIBALD SMITH
THE LITTLE MUD-SPARROWS ELIZABETH STUART PHELPS
THE CHILDREN OF WIND AND THE CLAN OF PEACE FIONA MACLEOD
THE CHILD JESUS IN THE GARDEN AUTHOR UNKNOWN
THE MYSTIC THORN ADAPTED FROM TRADITIONAL SOURCES
THE BLOOMING OF THE WHITE THORN EDITH MATILDA THOMAS
LEGEND OF ST. CHRISTOPHER ADAPTED FROM THE GOLDEN LEGEND
ST. CHRISTOPHER OF THE GAEL FIONA MACLEOD
THE CROSS OF THE DUMB FIONA MACLEOD
THE CHRISTMAS SONG OF CAEDMON H.E.G. PARDEE
GOOD KING WENCESLAS JOHN MASON NEALE
THE CHRISTMAS AT GRECCIO: A STORY OF ST. FRANCIS SOPHIE JEWETT
THE SIN OF THE PRINCE BISHOP WILLIAM CANTON
EARL SIGURD'S CHRISTMAS EVE HJALMAR HJORTH BOYESEN
A CHRISTMAS LEGEND FLORENCE SCANNELL
THE LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS ROSE SELMA LAGERLOeF
FELIX EVALEEN STEIN
THE SABOT OF LITTLE WOLFF FRANCOIS COPPEE
THE LITTLE FRIEND ABBIE FARWELL BROWN
WHERE LOVE IS, THERE GOD IS ALSO COUNT LYOF N. TOLSTOI
CHRISTMAS IN LEGEND AND STORY
"THE GRACIOUS TIME"
According to tradition, on the Holy Night there fell upon Bethlehem of
Judea a strange and unnatural calm; the voices of the birds were
hushed, water ceased to flow and the wind was stilled. But when the
child Jesus was born all nature burst into new life; trees put forth
green leaves, grass sprang up and bright flowers bloomed. To animals
was granted the power of human speech and the ox and the ass knelt in
their stalls in adoration of the infant Saviour. Then it was that the
shepherds abiding in the field with their flocks heard the angels
praising God, and kings of the Orient watching in their "far country"
saw ablaze in the heavens the long-expected sign. Even in distant Rome
there sprang up a well or fountain which "ran largely" and the ancient
prophetess, Sibyl, looking eastward from the Capitoline hill heard the
angel song and saw in vision all the wonders of that night.
There are many such traditional tales of the nativity, of the
"star-led wizards" and of the marvels wrought by the boy Christ. They
tell of the bees singing their sweet hymn of praise to the Lord, of
the palm-tree bending down its branches that the weary travellers
fleeing from the wrath of Herod might be refreshed by its fruit, of
the juniper which opened to conceal them and of the sweet-smelling
balsam which grew wherever the drops of moisture fell from the brow of
the Boy "as He ran about or toiled in His loving service for His
Mother." Quaint fancies some of these, perhaps, and not all of them
worth preserving; but oftentimes beautiful, and with a germ of truth.
From the centuries between then and now, come stories of holy men, of
bishops and peasant-saints, and of brave men who preached the White
Christ to the vikings of the north or on Iona's isle. As in popular
belief, with each returning eve of the nativity the miracles of the
first Christmas happen again, so in these tales the thorn-tree
blossoms anew and wonderful roses bloom in the bleak forest.
Other stories tell how on each Christmas eve the little Christ-child
comes again to earth and wanders through village or town, while
lighted candles are placed in the windows to guide Him on His way.
These various legends and traditional tales, which sprang up among the
people like flowers by the wayside and became a part of the life of
the Middle Ages, are still of interest to us of to-day and have a
distinct charm of their own. And when the childlike faith and beauty
of thought of the finest of these have found expression in literary
form they seem particularly suited for our reading at "the gracious
time."
THE ADORATION OF THE SHEPHERDS
ST. LUKE, II, 1-16
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from
Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth,
into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;
because he was of the house and lineage of David:
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished
that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling
clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them
in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the
Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is
Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in
swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into
heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto
Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord
hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe
lying in a manger.
THE CHILD BORN AT BETHLEHEM
HORACE ELISHA SCUDDER
About six miles to the south of Jerusalem is the village of Bethlehem,
lying along the slope and on the top of a gray hill, from the steep
eastern end of which one looks over a broad plain, toward a range of
high hills beyond. At any time, as one drew near the place, coming
from Jerusalem, he would pass by rounded hills, and now and then cross
little ravines with brooks, sometimes full of water, sometimes only
beds of stone; and, if it were spring-time, he would see the hills and
valleys covered with their grass, and sprinkled abundantly with a
great variety of wild flowers, daisies, poppies, the Star of
Bethlehem, tulips and anemones--a broad sheet of color, of scarlet,
white and green. Perhaps, very long ago, there were trees also where
now there are none; and on those hills, gray with the stone that
peeped out through the grass, stood the mighty cedars of Lebanon,
stretching out their sweeping branches, and oaks, sturdy and rich with
dark foliage, green the year round. At any rate, then, as now, we may
believe that there were vineyards upon the sunny slopes, and we know
that the wind blew over corn-fields covering the plains that lay
between the ranges of hills.
It is of the time long since that we are thinking, when there were no
massive buildings on Bethlehem hill, such as are to be seen in the
town as it now appears. Instead, there were low houses, many of mud
and sunburnt brick, some so poor, doubtless, that the cattle were
stalled, if not in the same room with the people of the house, yet so
near that they could be heard through the partition, stamping, and
crunching their food. There was an inn there, also; but we must not
think of it as like our modern public-houses, with a landlord and
servants, where one could have what he needed by paying for it.
Rather, it was a collection of buildings for the convenience and
accommodation of travelers, who brought with them whatever they
required of food, and the means of preparing it, finding there only
shelter and the roughest conveniences. The larger inns of this sort
were built in the form of a great courtyard surrounded by arcades, in
which people stayed, and kept their goods, if they were merchants.
The inn at Bethlehem was not probably one of these great
caravanserais,--as they are called now in the East, because caravans
stop at them; and it is even possible that the stables about the inn
were simply caves scooped out of the soft chalk rock, for the country
there has an abundance of these caves used for this very purpose.
From the hill on which Bethlehem stands, one can see travelers
approaching, and at that time, long ago, no doubt the people who lived
there saw companies of travelers, on foot or mounted, coming up to the
village. For it was a busy time in Judea. The Emperor at Rome, the
capital of the world, had ordered a tax to be laid upon his subjects,
and first it had to be known just who were liable to be taxed.
Nowadays, and in our country, people have their names taken down at
the door of their own houses, and pay their tax in the town where they
live. But then, in Judea, it was different. If a man had always lived
in one place, and his parents before him, well and good: there his
name was taken down, and there he was taxed. But if he was of a family
that had left another place, he went back to the old home, and there
his name was registered. There were many, it may be, who at this time
were visiting Bethlehem for this purpose.
At least, we know of two amongst these travelers; devout and humble
people they were; Joseph, a carpenter, living in Nazareth, a village
of Galilee, sixty miles or more to the northward, and Mary, his wife.
Together they were coming to Bethlehem, for while Nazareth was now
their home, they were sprung from a family that once lived in
Bethlehem, and though they were now poor and lowly, that family was
the royal family, and King David, the greatest king that ever sat on
the Jewish throne, was their ancestor. Perhaps, as they climbed the
hill, they thought of Ruth, who had gleaned in the corn-fields just
where they were passing, and no doubt they thought of Ruth's
great-grandson, King David, who was born here, and here kept his
father's sheep,--such sheep as even now they could see on the
hillsides, watched by the watching shepherds.
They came, like the rest, to the caravanserai, but found it already
filled with travelers. They could not have room with other men and
women, and yet there was shelter to be had, for the place where the
horses and beasts of burden stood was not all taken up. It may be that
many of those now occupying the inn had come on Joseph's errand, and,
not being merchants, had come unattended by the beasts that bore the
goods of merchants, who were there occupying the inn; and what were
they there for? We can only guess. All is forgotten of that gathering;
men remember only the two travelers from Nazareth who could find no
room in the inn, and made their resting-place by a manger.
For there, away from the crowd, was born to Mary a child, whom she
wrapped in swaddling-clothes and laid in the manger. She was away from
home; she was not even in a friend's house, nor yet in the inn; the
Lord God had made ready a crib for the babe in the feeding-place of
cattle. What gathering of friends could there be to rejoice over a
child born in this solitary place?
Yet there were some, friends of the child and of the child's mother,
who welcomed its birth with great rejoicing. It may be that when Mary
was laying Him upon His first hard earthly resting-place, there was,
not far off, such a sight as never before was seen on earth. On the
hilly slopes about Bethlehem were flocks of sheep that, day and night,
cropped the grass, watched by shepherds, just as, so long before,
young David, in the same place, had watched his father's sheep. These
shepherds were devout men, who sang, we may easily believe, the songs
which the shepherd David had taught them; and now, in the night-time,
on the quiet slopes, as they kept guard over their flocks, out of the
darkness appeared a heavenly visitor: whence he came they knew not,
but round about him was a brightness which they knew could be no other
than the brightness of His presence which God cast about His
messengers. Great fear fell upon them--for who of mortals could stand
before the heavenly beings? But the angel, quick to see their fear,
spoke in words which were the words of men and fell in peaceful
accents:--
"Fear not!" said he, "for see, I bring you glad tidings of a great joy
that shall be to all the people. For there has been born to you, this
very day, a Saviour, who is the Holy Lord, born in the city of David;
and this shall be its sign to you: ye shall find a child wrapped in
swaddling-clothes lying in a manger."
And now, suddenly, before they could speak to the heavenly messenger,
they saw, not him alone, but the place full of the like heavenly
beings. A multitude was there; they came not as if from some distant
place, but as angels that ever stood round these shepherds. The eyes
of the men were opened, and they saw, besides the grassy slopes and
feeding sheep, and distant Bethlehem, and the stars above, a host of
angels. Their ears were opened, and besides the moving sheep and
rustling boughs, they heard from this great army of heavenly beings a
song, rising to God and falling like a blessing upon the sleeping
world:--
"Glory to God in the highest And on earth peace, Good will to men."
In the lowly manger, a little child; on the hillside pasture, a
heavenly host singing His praises! Then it was once more quiet, and
the darkness was about the shepherds. They looked at one another and
said,--"Let us go, indeed, to Bethlehem, to see this thing that has
come to pass, which the Lord hath made us know."
So, in all haste, with the sound of that hymn of glory in their ears,
they left the pasture and sought the town. They went to the inn, but
they looked not there for the child; where the mangers were, there
they sought Him, and found Him lying, and by Him Joseph and Mary.
There were others by the new-born child, some who had doubtless come
out from the inn at hearing of the birth. "Whence are these
shepherds?" they might have said to themselves, "and what has brought
them to this birthplace?"
To all by the manger, the shepherds, their minds full of the strange
sight they had witnessed, recount the marvel. They tell how one
appeared with such brightness about him as in old times they had heard
gave witness that the Lord God would speak to His people; how their
fear at his presence was quieted by his strange and joyful words; and
how, when he had said, "Ye shall find a child wrapped in
swaddling-clothes, lying in a manger," they suddenly were aware of a
host of angels round about them sounding praise, to which God also
listened.
Those to whom they told these things were amazed indeed at the
strangeness. What did the marvel mean, they wondered. They could know
no more than the shepherds had told them, and as for these men, they
went away to their flocks again, praising God, for now they too, had
seen the child, and it was all true, and with their human voice they
caught up the song of rejoicing which had fallen from angelic lips.
There was one who heard it all, and we may think did not say much or
ask much, but laid it away in her heart. It was Mary, and she had, in
the treasure-house where she put away this wonder, other thoughts and
recollections in company with it. There, in her inmost heart, she kept
the remembrance of a heavenly visitor who had appeared to her when she
was alone, and had quieted her fear by words that told her of this
coming birth, and filled her soul with the thought that He whom she
should bear was to have the long-deserted throne and a kingdom without
end. She remembered how, when she visited her cousin Elizabeth, she
was greeted with a psalm of rejoicing that sprang to the lips of that
holy woman, and from her own heart had come a psalm of response.
And now the child was born--born in the place of David, yet born to be
laid in a manger. A name had been given it by the angel, and she
called the child Jesus; for Jesus means Saviour, and "He shall," said
the angel, "save His people from their sins."
AS JOSEPH WAS A-WALKING
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
NORA ARCHIBALD SMITH
Deep in the shelter of the cave, The ass with drooping head Stood
weary in the shadow, where His master's hand had led. About the manger
oxen lay, Bending a wide-eyed gaze Upon the little new-born Babe, Half
worship, half amaze. High in the roof the doves were set, And cooed
there, soft and mild, Yet not so sweet as, in the hay, The Mother to
her Child. The gentle cows breathed fragrant breath To keep Babe Jesus
warm, While loud and clear, o'er hill and dale, The cocks crowed,
"Christ is born!" Out in the fields, beneath the stars, The young
lambs sleeping lay, And dreamed that in the manger slept Another,
white as they.
These were Thy neighbors, Christmas Child; To Thee their love was
given, For in Thy baby face there shone The wonder-light of Heaven.
CHRISTMAS CAROL
FROM THE NEAPOLITAN
When Christ was born in Bethlehem, 'T was night, but seemed the noon
of day; The stars, whose light Was pure and bright, Shone with
unwavering ray; But one, one glorious star Guided the Eastern Magi
from afar.
Then peace was spread throughout the land; The lion fed beside the
tender lamb; And with the kid, To pasture led, The spotted leopard
fed; In peace, the calf and bear, The wolf and lamb reposed together
there.
As shepherds watched their flocks by night, An angel, brighter than
the sun's own light, Appeared in air, And gently said, Fear not,--be
not afraid, For lo! beneath your eyes, Earth has become a smiling
paradise.
A CHRISTMAS HYMN
RICHARD WATSON GILDER
Tell me what is this innumerable throng Singing in the heavens a loud
angelic song? These are they who come with swift and shining feet From
round about the throne of God the Lord of Light to greet.
Oh, who are these that hasten beneath the starry sky, As if with
joyful tidings that through the world shall fly? The faithful
shepherds these, who greatly were afeared When, as they watched their
flocks by night, the heavenly host appeared.
Who are these that follow across the hills of night A star that
westward hurries along the fields of light?
Three wise men from the east who myrrh and treasure bring To lay them
at the feet of him their Lord and Christ and King.
What babe new-born is this that in a manger cries? Near on her lowly
bed his happy mother lies. Oh, see the air is shaken with white and
heavenly wings-- This is the Lord of all the earth, this is the King
of kings.
THE SONG OF A SHEPHERD--BOY AT BETHLEHEM
JOSEPHINE PRESTON PEABODY
Sleep, Thou little Child of Mary: Rest Thee now. Though these hands be
rough from shearing And the plough,
Yet they shall not ever fail Thee, When the waiting nations hail Thee,
Bringing palms unto their King. Now--I sing.
Sleep, Thou little Child of Mary, Hope divine. If Thou wilt but smile
upon me, I will twine Blossoms for Thy garlanding. Thou'rt so little
to be King, God's Desire! Not a brier Shall be left to grieve Thy
brow; Rest Thee now.
Sleep, Thou little Child of Mary. Some fair day Wilt Thou, as Thou
wert a brother, Come away Over hills and over hollow? All the lambs
will up and follow, Follow but for love of Thee. Lov'st Thou me?
Sleep, Thou little Child of Mary; Rest Thee now. I that watch am come
from sheep-stead And from plough. Thou wilt have disdain of me When
Thou'rt lifted, royally, Very high for all to see: Smilest Thou?