Christmas Rede

Full clear and bright this Christmas night range
fields of Heaven fire-sown;
But beam from star fled ne'er so far as mine Heart's Light hath flown
Since kindest eyes beneath yon skies fell dark and left me lone.
Ah, Mary blest! on kingly quest wise men had miss'd

their way,
But evermore they saw before a star of soothfast ray;
And follow'd, till its lamp stood still where He who lit it lay.
Such light to friend their search had end, now mine doth but begin,
Yet, mother sweet, may wand'ring feet anigh thy Mansion

win,
Above that roof no star for proof need shine to guide
them in.
If kindest eyes in olden wise smile soft to bid me learn
That Love, the flower of Earth's dim hour, hath found
a power eterne
Shall burn rose-red while stars be sped; tho' stars dropt

dead could burn.