BALLADE OF CHRISTMAS

New Zealand Tablet, 27 December 1906, Page 37

BALLADE OF CHRISTMAS

• "■' \ Hang up the holly, nor forget The' waxen-berried s mistletoe ;' - - What matter if the wind be wet And roads be slushed with" melting snow ? , The lamplight's gleam,- the yule-log's glow, .Shall brighten all the hours that "glide,

And _we will bless them as they go— The merry days of Christmas tide !' The clouded sun makes haste to_set, p lhe feet ol* night "are overflow, The- bare bough • shivers, black as jet, While gusty winter's breezes blow ; , But on -our hearts „.110 gloom can t-hrow Its' shadow, where glad thoughts "abide ; We sing our stave and laugh, Ho ! Ho V The merry days of Christmastide ! BaiAshed awhile are cares that fret. Sad memories of grief and woe ; We make a tiuce with old. regret

And bitter tears of long ago ; . Such cares may come, such tears x may flow Before the winter shall have died ; . Butf cares and tears must never know ' ' The merry days of" Christmastide! ENVOY. Friend Father Time may bend his -how; To slay our. pleasures, in" their pride s ; His malice cannot conquer so - •

The merry days of Christmastide !

■ c Irish. Monthly.'