OCR Text |
Show HER HAPPY HOME. ,1 hear the cold rain beating On sodden root and lawn; But the hearth Is swept and garnished. The curtains all undrawn; The merry Yule Are flickers, The mellow lamp-light falls On softly tinted carpets. And eayly festooned walls.1 iWlthout, the night Is black and shrill, The homeless winds complain; But the cheerful light of the fireside Streams far thro' the falling rain; Down the garden, across the lawn. To the dull, deserted street, We have laid a shining pathway For the homeward wandering feetl For God hath blessed us richly ; With health and goodly cheer; And this is the happy Christmas night The best night of the year! And tho' there are vacant chairs, ah m At hearth and board to-night, Their cups are filled and garlanded Their places warm and bright! And I Bit among the children, (Too tired to romp or tease) And over the pretty golden ring Of heads about my knees-While knees-While the night and the rain grow wilder wild-er I watch and listen and wait, For a step on the shining pathway ! A hand at the garden gate! fFor now is the holy, happy time ' When strife and rancor cease, And the Messenger Angel bringeth ' To all "Good Will and Peace!" And, oh! if his loving hand should bind ! Of the silver threads of rain Some strong, bright clew to lead the lost And wandering home again! |