King Arthur's Waes-Hael

Waes-HAEL for knight and dame!
O ! merry be their dole ;
Drink-hael! in Jesu's name
We fill the tawny bowl ;
But cover down the curving crest,
Mould of the Orient Lady's breast.

Waes-hael ! yet lift no lid :
Drain ye the reeds for wine.
Drink-hael ! the milk was hid
That soothed that Babe divine ;
Hushed, as this hollow channel flows,
He drew the balsam from the rose.

Waes-hael ! thus glowed the breast
Where a God yearned to cling ;
Drink-hael ! so Jesu pressed
Life from its mystic spring ;
Then hush, and bend in reverent sign,
And breathe the thrilling reeds for wine.

Waes-hael ! in shadowy scene,
Lo ! Christmas children we ;
Drink-hael ! behold we lean
At a far Mother's knee ;
To dream, that thus her bosom smiled,
And learn the lip of Bethlehem's Child.