LAUREATE'S FIRST POEM.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13299, 7 February 1914, Page 9

LAUREATE'S FIRST POEM.

CHRISTMAS MONODY FG>R THE KING. REVIVAL OF ANCIENT METRE. LONDON, Dec. 26. The first fruits of Dr. Bridges' Laureateship has been heartily welcomed m the most critical circles. He celebrated the anniversary of the coming of the King of Kings by a. poem, which he sent direct to 'King 'George. His Majesty, greatly appreciating the Christmas monody, specially directed that it should be forwarded to the Times for publication. Dr. Bridge reverted to one of the most ancient' and honored of English metres— none other, indeed, than the chosen medium of the court minstrels of the fourteenth century ; — CHRISTMAS EVE. PAZ HOMINIBUS BONAE VOLUNTATL A frosty Christmas eve when the stars were shining, Fared I forth alone where westward falls the hill, And from many a village iv th© Avater's valley Distant music reached me, peals of bells a-ringing; Iho constellated sounds ran sprinkling on earth's floor As tho dark vault above with stars was spangled o'er. Ihen sped my thoughts to keep tliat first Christmas of all, When the shepherds Avatching by their folds ere the daAvn Hear„ music m the fields, and, marvelling, could not tell Whether it Avere? angels or the bright stars singing. * Now blessed be the towers that crown England so- fair, Ihat stand up strong m prayer unto God for our souls: Blessed be their founders (said I) and our country-folk Who are ringing for Christ m the belfries to-night, With arms lifted to clutch the rattling . ropes that race into the dark above, and the niad romping din. But to me heard afar, it was heav'nly music, Angels' song comforting, as the comfort of Christ, When He spake tenderly to his sorrowful flock:/ Ihe old Avords came to me, by the riches of time, Mellow'd and transfigured, as I. stood on the hill. Hark'ning m the aspect of th' eternal silence/* %