THE HOLLY 
231 
And then from every cottage pane 
We see thee beaming forth again ; 
And sacred churchy and lordly hall, 
Proclaim by thee their festival : 
Thou thoughts of peace and joy dost bring, 
With promise of another spring. 
Our fathers taught us thus to cheer. 
With nature’s charms, the dying year. 
And the soft laurel’s emblemed peace 
With thy gay beauty to increase. 
Till, Christmas fires bright blazing now, 
We may not miss the holly bough. 
