<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN>
<h2>A CHRISTMAS CAROL</h2>
<br/>
<p>It chanced upon the merry merry Christmas eve,<br/> I
went sighing past the church across the moorland dreary—<br/>‘Oh!
never sin and want and woe this earth will leave,<br/> And
the bells but mock the wailing round, they sing so cheery.<br/>How
long, O Lord! how long before Thou come again?<br/> Still
in cellar, and in garret, and on moorland dreary<br/>The orphans moan,
and widows weep, and poor men toil in vain,<br/> Till
earth is sick of hope deferred, though Christmas bells be cheery.’</p>
<p>Then arose a joyous clamour from the wild-fowl on the mere,<br/> Beneath
the stars, across the snow, like clear bells ringing,<br/>And a voice
within cried—‘Listen!—Christmas carols even here!<br/> Though
thou be dumb, yet o’er their work the stars and snows are singing.<br/>Blind!
I live, I love, I reign; and all the nations through<br/> With
the thunder of my judgments even now are ringing.<br/>Do thou fulfil
thy work but as yon wild-fowl do,<br/> Thou wilt heed
no less the wailing, yet hear through it angels singing.’</p>
<p>Eversley, 1849.</p>
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />
1 of 2
2 of 2
Previous
Next
Update Required
To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.