THE OXEN
drop-capChristmasEve, and twelve of the clock.“Now they are all on their knees,”An elder said as we sat in a flockBy the embers in hearthside ease.We pictured the meek mild creatures whereThey dwelt in their strawy pen,Nor did it occur to one of us thereTo doubt they were kneeling then.So fair a fancy few would weaveIn these years! Yet, I feel,If some one said on Christmas Eve,“Come; see the oxen kneel“In the lonely barton by yonder coombOur childhood used to know,”I should go with him in the gloomHoping it might be so.
drop-capChristmasEve, and twelve of the clock.“Now they are all on their knees,”An elder said as we sat in a flockBy the embers in hearthside ease.We pictured the meek mild creatures whereThey dwelt in their strawy pen,Nor did it occur to one of us thereTo doubt they were kneeling then.So fair a fancy few would weaveIn these years! Yet, I feel,If some one said on Christmas Eve,“Come; see the oxen kneel“In the lonely barton by yonder coombOur childhood used to know,”I should go with him in the gloomHoping it might be so.
drop-capChristmasEve, and twelve of the clock.“Now they are all on their knees,”An elder said as we sat in a flockBy the embers in hearthside ease.
drop-cap
ChristmasEve, and twelve of the clock.
“Now they are all on their knees,”
An elder said as we sat in a flock
By the embers in hearthside ease.
We pictured the meek mild creatures whereThey dwelt in their strawy pen,Nor did it occur to one of us thereTo doubt they were kneeling then.
We pictured the meek mild creatures where
They dwelt in their strawy pen,
Nor did it occur to one of us there
To doubt they were kneeling then.
So fair a fancy few would weaveIn these years! Yet, I feel,If some one said on Christmas Eve,“Come; see the oxen kneel
So fair a fancy few would weave
In these years! Yet, I feel,
If some one said on Christmas Eve,
“Come; see the oxen kneel
“In the lonely barton by yonder coombOur childhood used to know,”I should go with him in the gloomHoping it might be so.
“In the lonely barton by yonder coomb
Our childhood used to know,”
I should go with him in the gloom
Hoping it might be so.
Thomas Hardy