Our beating hearts keep up the chime, Noël, Noël!
One thing there was, desired above all things:
“Say, will they come (as ever from of old)—
The wise, the good, the three great Eastern Kings,
Who brought rich gifts,—frankincense, myrrh, and gold?”
How often of their names had we been told—
Balthasar, Melchior, Gaspard,—splendid all,
Wide-turbaned, sandal-shod, and purple-stoled,
Perhaps upon white steeds, curbed-in, and tall,
Or else on camels with the velvet-soft footfall!