Chapter XII CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR BELLS BELLS ACROSS THE SNOW FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL O Christmas, merry Christmas! With its memories and greetings, To the bells across the snow! O Christmas, merry Christmas! "Tis not so very long Since other voices blended With the carol and the song! Of the crown on each dear brow; No hidden tear to flow, O Christmas, merry Christmas! FROM IN MEMORIAM ALFRED TENNYSON Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring out the grief that saps the mind, Ring out the feud of rich and poor, Ring out a slowly dying cause, And ancient forms of party strife; Ring in the nobler modes of life, With sweeter manners, purer laws. Ring out the want, the care, the sin, But ring the fuller minstrel in. Ring out false pride in place and blood, Ring in the common love of good. Ring out old shapes of foul disease, Ring out the narrowing lust of gold; Ring out the thousand wars of old, Ring in the thousand years of peace. Ring in the valiant man and free, The larger heart, the kindlier hand, Ring out the darkness of the land, Ring in the Christ that is to be. THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW JOSEPHINE POLLARD The Old Year sat beside the hearth In thoughtful mood; the hour was late; And ere he vanished from the earth, The past he fain would contemplate. "I brought a wealth of joy for those Who had o'erburdened been with grief," He said, "And for unnumbered woes Furnished the cordial of relief. "To some I gave a garden's bloom, Breathing the sweet Elysian air; "I entered on my natal hour Burdened alike with bliss and bane, Commissioned by my Lord to dower Some hearts with ease, and some with pain Where happiness had rich increase, I shall be honored long I know; But those I robbed of joy and peace- "I've followed many a bridal train; Have watched by many a lonely bier; One! Three! Four! Five! Six! Seven! Eight! Nine! Ten! Eleven! Twelve! How the hours have slipped away! Surely are the fetters riven. Soon I shall hear the final stroke Chime sweetly with the clock of heaven! I am nearer to my goal! Time must eternity begin! Awake, immortal soul! Farewell and let the New Year in! "I come the Old Year's debt to pay! I come his promises to keep; |