CHRISTMAS. 



T^HE Christmas Bells from hill and tower 



To-night their benedictions shower; 

 And on the waves of their sweet chimes, 

 Fond thoughts of home and olden .times 

 Set sail through memory s Golden Gate: 

 Deep laden with love s precious freight, 

 They speed their homew r ard course to-night, 

 Across the sea with Ariel flight. 



O you, who wait returning sails, 

 W T hose eyes hope long-deferred o erveils 

 With lowering clouds, take heart again! 

 For lo! unseen through mist and rain 

 Of tears, a thousand white-winged keels, 

 Afloat on billowy Christmas peals, 

 Seek haven in your hearts to-night, 

 Home guided by love s beacon light. 



Dear friends, though sundered far and wide, 



Though varied quests our thoughts divide, 



May these rich argosies of love 



My tender, faithful memory prove; 



May they to-night new love awake, 



And in this festal season make 



Your hearts forget the old farewells, 



In greetings brought by Christmas Bells. 



