BFNEATH THE SYRIAN STARS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XX, Issue 1415, 24 December 1887, Page 3 (Supplement)

BFNEATH THE SYRIAN STARS.

Where once had gleamed sweet patient Kuth, Where once her grandson, stem and fair King David, in his kingly youth Had torn the lion and the bear, Some skin- clad men kept watch and ward Below the hills of Bethlehem. Behold the glory of the Lord 1 Behold His star lit garment's hem 1 The purple of His robe is strewn With plenteous stars in silent song — That robe wherein the Lord alone 'Mid awful space may pasa along ! The white moon shepherding her stars of gold Meets brown men shepherding their fleecy fold. " Good will on earth and peace to men, For Christ this day is born on eaTth I" And all about 'tis light as when The stars kneel down to name His birth. And this to shepherds shepherding Their homeless flocks on hills at night? Why, this were news for any king 1 Why this were news that well might light Man's noblest temple to his dome. Why, this were news rich men had laid High tribute on, at kingliest home, And tenfold price had tenfold paid. But God gave skin-clad shepherds, that far morn, Such news as has not been since Christ was born The poor the piteous poor, Hear ye this lesson, heed it well 1 dow poor the Cbrist that natal day : The one rich man howls down in hell 1 Take home this lesson, husband it ; The poor came first, the witless poor. The poor cf purse, the poor of wit Were first to find Christ's open doorWere first to enter, ay, the first That God selected where they lay At post of duty ; where the burst Of glory like eternal day Shone round about them that far Christmas morn When Christ beneath the Syrian stars was born.

Jaoqtjin Miller.

" Come, you've had enough, you greedy varmint," said the costermonger to the donkey, as he carried away the hay from the manger.

" Why, I haven't tasted yet, master," remonstrated the poor ass, " Well, then, that's your fault, not mine. If you stand dreaming when you ought to be eating, you must take the consekens, Neddy."

The poor donkey sighed. It was all too true. He had allowed himself to fall into a kind o£ dozy reverie instead of making the most of his time to eat his dinner.

" Ah !" said he, with a melancholy shake of his ears, " I'm nut the^only donkey in the world who has neglected his opportunities," and he foraged around for an odd carrot or stale cabbage with which to assuage his hunger.