380 THE OLIVE LEAF. CHAP, 



THE CHRISTMAS ROSE. 



UNTO the cradle of the Wondrous Child, 



Heaven brought its star, and man his gold and myrrh ; 



But nature brings each year a living gift 



To halo the Divine event ; a star 



Of earth, that once came from the East, and sheds 



Its silver radiance round our common homes. 



It comes, like Him whose birth it celebrates, 



To cheer the winter of the world, and make 



The very snow to blossom into life. 



When earth has reached its darkest hour, this gleam 



Of coming dawn appears. We seem to see 



The snowdrop's mystic presence on the lawn ; 



The crocus kindle where its light went out ; 



The copse grow dense with purple haze of buds ; 



And willows deck their wands with silken plumes. 



Long mute, the birds, whene'er they see this sign, 



Take heart to twitter; and the sunbeams pale 



Grow warmer as they shine upon its flowers ; 



And where it breathes its subtle fragrance round, 



The very air seems conscious of the Spring. 



Last child of the old year, first of the new 



Ghost of the past, soul of the future rose 



It links the seasons with its silver clasp, 



And blends our memories and hopes in one. 



In this pale herald of the flowery year 



Are sketched the types of lily and of rose, 



Which afterwards, from its fair side in death, 



