Christmas Eve

SANDY
In holly hedges starving birds
Silently mourn the setting year.
BASIL
Upright like silver-plated swords
The flags stand in the frozen mere.
BRIAN
The mistletoe we still adore
Upon the twisted hawthorn grows.
MENZIES
In antique gardens hellebore
Puts forth its blushing Christmas rose.
SANDY
Shrivelled and purple, cheek by jowl,
The hips and haws hang drearily.
BASIL
Rolled in a ball the sulky owl
Creeps far into his hollow tree.
BRIAN
In abbeys and cathedrals dim
The birth of Christ is acted o'er;
The kings of Cologne worship Him,
Balthazar, Jasper, Melchior.
MENZIES
And while our midnight talk is made
Of this and that and now and then,
The old earth-stopper with his spade
And lantern seeks the fox's den.
SANDY
Oh, for a northern blast to blow
These depths of air that cream and curdle!
BASIL
Now are the halcyon days, you know;
Old Time has leapt another hurdle;
And pauses as he only may
Who knows he never can be caught.
BRIAN
The winter solstice, shortest day
And longest night, was past, I thought.
BASIL
Oh yes! but fore-and-aft a week
Silent the winds must ever be,
Because the happy halcyons seek
Their nests upon the sea.
BRIAN
The Christmas-time! the lovely things
That last of it! Sweet thoughts and deeds!
SANDY
How strong and green old legend clings
Like ivy round the ruined creeds!
MENZIES
A fearless, ruthless, wanton band,
Deep in our hearts we guard from scathe,
Of last year's log, a smouldering brand
To light at Yule the fire of faith.
BRIAN
The shepherds in the field at night
Beheld an angel glory-clad,
And shrank away with sore affright.
'Be not afraid,' the angel bade.
'I bring good news to king and clown,
To you here crouching on the sward;
For there is born in David's town
A Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
'Behold the babe is swathed, and laid
Within a manger.' Straight there stood
Beside the angel all arrayed
A heavenly multitude.
'Glory to God,' they sang; ' and peace,
Good pleasure among men.'
SANDY
The wondrous message of release,
That forged another chain!
BRIAN
Nay, nay; God help us to be good!
BASIL
Hush! hark! Without; the waits, the waits!
With brass and strings, and mellow wood.
MENZIES
A simple tune can ope heaven's gates
SANDY
Slowly they play, poor careful souls,
With wistful thoughts of Christmas cheer,
Unwitting how their music rolls
Away the burden of the year.
BASIL
And with the charm, the homely rune,
To early moods our minds incline,
As when our pulses beat in tune
With all the stars that shine.
MENZIES
Oh cease! oh cease!
BASIL
Ay, cease; and bring
The wassail-bowl, the cup of grace.
SANDY
Pour wine, and heat it till it sing.
With cloves and cardamums and mace.
BASIL
And frothed and sweetened round it goes,
The while we drink the whole world's health.
SANDY
The whole world's health! But chiefly those
Who grasp the whole world's power and wealth
BRIAN
I drink the poor in spirit; theirs
Is heaven's kingdom.
SANDY
Theirs, below,
A bursting granary of tares,
Derision, contumely, woe.
BRIAN
To those who patiently have borne
Sorrow
SANDY
May joy come soon instead!
I drink the health of those that mourn
And never can be comforted.
BRIAN
I drink the meek.
SANDY
I drink their foes,
The ruthless heirs of all the earth —
The knaves, the pushing men, and those
Who claim prerogatives of birth.
BRIAN
I drink the merciful, for they
Shall mercy gain.
SANDY
From usurers?
BRIAN
The pure in heart, and those who pray
And work for peace when faction stirs,
I drink; and all whom men condemn
For righteousness, who never shrink
From persecution.
SANDY
Yes, to them!
To every sinner too, I drink!
BASIL
Hush! hark! the waits, far up the street!
MENZIES
A new, unearthly charm unfolds
Of magic music wild and sweet,
Anomes and clarigolds!