And there, beside a little star Which had peeped out to see, The sickle hung itself afar, As swiftly as could be!
The master stared up, wondering; Forgetting all his rage, To see so strange and quaint a thing—— The marvel of the age.
And she, the maid so brave and good, Thenceforth had naught to fear, But kept the Sabbath as she would, And lived a life of cheer.
So when among the stars you see The silver sickle flame, Think how the wonder came to be, And bless Nothburga’s name.
WINTER’S HERALD
Jane Andrews
In the days of chivalry, mail-clad knights, armed with shield and spear, rode through the land to defend the right and to punish the wrong. Whenever they were to meet each other in battle at the great tournaments, a herald was first sent to announce the fight and give fair warning to the opponents, that each might be in all things prepared to meet the other, and defend or attack wisely and upon his guard.
So, dear children, you must know that Winter, who is coming clad in his icy armour, with his spear, the keen sleet, sends before him a herald, that we may not be all unprepared for his approach.