Poems (Allen)/Christmas Carols

by Elizabeth Chase Allen

CHRISTMAS CAROLS.

HE children sung a song, this Christmas morning,
 Mellow and clear, outside my chamber door,
Waking me softly from my pleasant dreaming
 Of unforgotten Christmas-days of yore.

Sweetly they sung, my neighbor's happy children,
 Two merry girls and one glad-hearted boy,
Repeating oft their song's rejoicing burden,—
 "On Christmas morn the angels sing for joy!"

Sweetly they sung; but ah! their cheerful voices
 Broke up my soul's deep founts of hidden woe,
And pressing down my face against the pillow,
 I let the bitter torrent overflow.

Missing the little child that warbled softly
 Two years ago to-day, a song like this,
And, when the joyful melody was ended,
 Held up her sweet mouth for a Christmas kiss.

Only one Christmas-eve my fair-eyed darling
 Lisped of dear Santa Claus her dreams among,
Only one Christmas morn, white-robed and joyful,—
 Lifted her clear voice in a Christmas-song.

I see her little figure standing tiptoe,
 To hang her dainty stocking on the wall;—
O sinless heart, O perfect faith of childhood,
 Believing everything and trusting all!

Peace, aching heart! O, let me trust entirely,
 With faith and strength that nothing can destroy,
That my sweet baby is among the angels
 Who, on this Christmas morning, sing for joy!