From out Cologne there came three kings
To worship Jesus Christ, their King;
To him they sought fine herbs they brought
And many a beauteous golden thing;
They brought their gifts to Bethlehem town
And in that manger set them down.
Then spake the first king, and he said:
"O Child most heavenly, bright and fair,
I bring this crown to Bethlehem town
For Thee, and only Thee, to wear;
So give a heavenly crown to me
When I shall come at last to Thee."
The second then: "I bring thee here
This royal robe, O Child!" he cried;
"Of silk 'tis spun and such an one
There is not in the world beside!
So in the day of doom requite
Me with a heavenly robe of white!"
The third king gave his gift, and quoth:
"Spikenard and myrrh to Thee I bring,
And with these twain would I most fain
Anoint the body of my King.
So may their incense some time rise
To plead for me in yonder skies."
Thus spake the three kings of Cologne
That gave their gifts and went their way;
And now kneel I in prayer hard-by
The cradle of the Child to-day;
Nor crown, nor robe, nor spice I bring
As offering unto Christ my King.
Yet have I brought a gift the Child
May not despise, however small;
For here I lay my heart to-day,
And it is fun of love to all!
Take Thou the poor, but loyal thing,
My only tribute, Christ, my King.
Eugene Field.
[25] From "With Trumpet and Drum" by Eugene Field Copyright, 1892, by Charles Scribner's Sons.
A Christmas Hymn
It was the calm and silent night!
Seven hundred years and fifty-three
Had Rome been growing up to might,
And now was queen of land and sea.
No sound was heard of clashing wars—
Peace brooded o'er the hushed domain:
Apollo, Pallas, Jove and Mars
Held undisturbed their ancient reign,
In the solemn midnight,
Centuries ago.