Page:Poems Curwen.djvu/273

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"Whose coach is that?" I asked the sprite,"
 My master's, Santa Claus,
Who wishes you to come to-night,
 To see his Christmas stores."

I jumped inside, then off we sped—
 We seemed to fly through space—
Then suddenly we slacken'd speed
 Before a lovely place.
Down sprang my little charioteer,
 The hall door opened wide,
A voice called out, "The lady's here!"
 Another, "Step inside!"

Oh! what a sight awaited me
 As I stepped in the hall,
But I think a monstre Christmas tree
 Was the grandest sight of all;
It nearly took my breath away,
 For all its branches hung
With toys in glittering array
 For children old and young.

Toys! toys! I saw them everywhere,
 While hundreds of little elves,
Were busily packing here and there
 Upon the countless shelves.
And when I spied old Santa Claus
 He was hurrying to and fro,
His jolly old face red as a rose,
 His whiskers powdered with snow.