MA EXULTATE DEO. ANY a flower hath perfume for its dower, And harmless lambs milkwhite beside their dams Perfume and song and whiteness offering praise In humble, peaceful ways. Man's high degree hath will and memory, Affection and desire; By loftier ways he mounts of prayer and praise, Fire unto fire, Deep unto deep responsive, height to height, Until he walk in white. A A HOPE CAROL. NIGHT was near, a day was near; I heard sweet voices calling clear, Calling me : I heard a whirr of wing on wing, Below the stars, beyond the moon, I heard a rising falling tune Calling me : I long to see the pipes and strings I long to see each face that sings, To-day or may be not to-day, All voices that command or pray, Shall kindle in my soul such fire, And in my eyes such light, That I shall see that heart's desire I long to see. CHRISTMAS CAROLS. I. WHOSO hears a chiming for Christmas at the nighest, Hears a sound like Angels chanting in their glee, Hears a sound like palm-boughs waving in the highest, Hears a sound like ripple of a crystal sea. Sweeter than a prayer-bell for a saint in dying, Sweeter than a death-bell for a saint at rest, Music struck in Heaven with earth's faint replying, "Life is good, and death is good, for Christ is Best." 2. A holy, heavenly chime Our Lord God ever-Blest Is laid a Babe at rest. Stoop, Spirits unused to stoop, Adoring as you gaze, Uplifting hymns of praise, — "Grace to the Full of Grace!" The cave is cold and strait To foster and infold Its Maker one hour old. Thrilled through with awestruck love, Meek Angels poised above, To see their God look down. "How comes He soft and weak With such a tender cheek, With such a soft, small hand? Heaven when its girth was plann'd. |