The South Transept: The Epistle and Gospel VI

The Christmas dawn. She thro' the waning night
Her leaning child hath to that cradle led,
And bids him all unlearn but that meek sight
And Heaven's own lesson, of the homely shed,
The Babe and mother. Nature now is dead,
And darksome ; but in wintry skies is set
A wreath that glitters o'er that Infant's head ;
Her fairest stars are round His cradle met,
Like gems of light within His Kingly coronet, —