A CHRISTMAS CATCH
When roads are mired with ice and snow,
And the air of morn is crisp with rime;
When the holly hangs by the mistletoe,
And bells ring in the Christmas-time:—
It’s—Saddle, my Heart! and ride away
To the sweet-faced girl with eyes of gray!
Who waits with a smile for the gifts you bring—
A man’s strong love and a wedding-ring—
It’s—Saddle, my Heart, and ride!
When vanes veer north and storm-winds blow,
And the sun at noon is a blur o’erhead;
When the holly hangs by the mistletoe,
And the Christmas service is sung and said:—
It’s—Come, O my Heart, and wait a while,
Where the organ peals, in the altar aisle,
For the gifts that the church now gives to you—
A woman’s hand and a heart that’s true.
It’s—Come, O my Heart, and wait!
When rooms gleam warm with the fire’s glow,
And the sleet raps sharp on the window-pane:
When the holly hangs by the mistletoe,
And Christmas revels begin again:—
It’s—Home, O my Heart, and love, at last!
And her happy breast to your own held fast:
A song to sing and a tale to tell,
A good-night kiss and all is well.
It’s—Home, O my Heart, and love!
A SONG FOR YULE
I
Sing, Hey, when the time rolls round this way,
And bells peal out, ’Tis Christmas Day!
The world is better then by half,
For joy, for joy:
In a little while you will see it laugh—
For a song’s to sing and a glass to quaff,
My boy; my boy.
So here ’s to the man who never says nay!—
Sing, Hey, a song of Christmas Day!
II
Sing, Ho, when roofs are white with snow,
And homes are hung with mistletoe:
Old Earth is not half bad, I wis—
What cheer! what cheer!
How it ever seemed sad the wonder is—
With a gift to give and a girl to kiss,
My dear; my dear.
So here ’s to the girl who never says no!
Sing, Ho, a song of the mistletoe!