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Show The Hostage By Walter De La Mare In Poetrr TNDEAD of dark to hit starry North Saint Nicholas drew near Fe had ranged the world this wintry night. His elk-bells jangling clear. Now bitter-worn with age was he, And weary of mankind, for few Had shown him lore or courtesy. fJis sacks lay empty all sare one; And this to his affright S(irr as he stooped with fingers numb, Ablaze with hoar-frost bright. Aghast he stood. Showed fumbling thumb, ymall shoulder, a wing what stowaway Was this and whence was 't come? And out there crept a. lovely thing Half angel and half child: "I, youngest of all Hearen, am here, to b, thy joy" he smiled. "O Nicholas, our Master Christ thy grief hath seen; and He Hath bidden me come to keep His tryst, and bring his lore to thee: To serre thee well, and sing Novell, and thine own son to be. " |