A CAROL OF THE KINGS.

According to one legend, the three sons of Noah were raised from the dead to represent all mankind at Bethlehem. According to another, they slept a deep sleep in a cavern on Ararat until Messias was born, and then an angel aroused and showed them The Southern Cross, then first created to be the beacon of their way.

When the starry signal had fulfilled its office it went on, journeying towards the south, until it reached its place to bend above The Peaceful Sea in memorial of the Child Jesu.

Three ancient men, in Bethlehem's cave,

With awful wonder stand:

A Voice had call'd them from their grave

In some far Eastern land!

II.

They lived: they trod the former earth,

When the old waters swell'd:—

The ark, that womb of second birth,

Their house and lineage held!

III.

Pale Japhet bows the knee with gold;

Bright Shem sweet incense brings:

And Ham—the myrrh his fingers hold—

Lo! the Three Orient Kings!

IV.

Types of the total earth, they hail'd

The signal's starry frame:—

Shuddering with second life, they quail'd

At the Child Jesu's name!

Then slow the patriarchs turn'd and trod,

And this their parting sigh—

"Our eyes have seen the living God,

And now, once more to die!"

H. of M.