The world, unfathomably fair,

Is duller than a witling’s jest.

Love wakes men, once a life-time each;

They lift their heavy heads and look;

And, lo, what one sweet page can teach

They read with joy, then shut the book.

And some give thanks, and some blaspheme,

And most forget: but, either way,

That, and the Child’s unheeded dream,

Is all the light of all their day.