And to rest from his labors St. Nicholas planned.

The reindeer were turned out to pasture and all

The ten thousand assistants discharged till the fall.

The furry great-coat was laid safely away

With the boots and the cap with its tassel so gay,

And toasting his toes by a merry wood fire,

What more could a weary old Santa desire?

So he puffed at his pipe and remarked to his wife,

"This amply makes up for my strenuous life!

From climbing down chimneys my legs fairly ache,