The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-01-01
A NEW CHRISTMAS CAROL.
ny Il. II. sToDDARD.


ny Il. II. sToDDARD.
OF all the merry days OF old,
When merry days did most abound, ~,
When Guns were drained, and catches troil'
And hearty health went round,
The best was Christmas-all the rest
But ushers to this Royal Guest!
BEFORE he came, from out the wood
rIe loc was dragged, with noisy mirth;
With last years brand the baron STOOD
Beside the blazing hearth:
Hring In the Yule log! Light it-more-
Now let the wide old chimney roar
within the hall, with ivy hung,
They gather, laughing, high and low;
And maids arc kissed, If they be young,
Beneath the mistlctoe.
II Care appears each thirsty soul
VIII drown ii in the wassail bowl!
he comes-hc's here! Let dinner wait
Until the silver trumpet sound.
The boar's head is borne In state,
With rosemary garlands crowned.
They sing-how docs the burden 60!
90 Ssiis az G0RCtgto.
What suited fcudal days and men
Suits not later day and race;
Rank has abascd itself since then
Conc Is the pride OF place
Except when nature makes them 50,
There is no longer high and low
Pat off the crown, put up the sword,
Abhorrent to the heart and mind;
His equal spirit has restored
The manhood Of mankind.
Wisely We celebrate His birth,
The besefactor Of the Earth.
Wisely and gladly What was best
OF that old Christmas time is here
The merry heart, the ready jest,
The hospitable cheer.
Welcome to all the rich, the poor
Welcome the beggar at the door!
B1t merrier be; the children hear;
They must not hear sigh to-day;
Dear hearts, they must not see u tear,
But laugh, and romp, and play,
tiaily the Christmas Eve began
With many little maid and man,
Looked forward to for days before,
And dreamed about at night, II comes;
They gather at the guarded door,
And their hearts beat like drums.
The door Is now flung back-they see,
o sight Of sights-thc Christmas tree.
Green as il wet with summer dew,
And fairies there did late carouse,
loaded with toys as il they grew
On its enchanted boughs,
and lighted candles-what can be
More bcautGous than the Christmas tree?
The children OF the poor that night
Hang up their stockings by the bed
For Santa Claus will surely light
Upon the roof ocrhead,
And, stealing in the chamber share
Ills gifts among the slcepers there
he merrieY, merrer, young and old
lpt nptIinr pinud this hapop da,.
Chime, bells, as If yc never tolicdl
And golden moments stay!
rold-folG your wings, delay your flight,
Prolong this hsllowed day and night!
Beneath the cross, beneath the splrc,
wherever Chistan people meet,
Around the cheerful household fire,
Along the crowded street.
Messing has fallen, and prayers forgot
Have risen iroin hearts that knew it not.
Prepare the feast Unlock the bin,
Bring out tonight the generous wine
Dring flowers, and have the children in
When you sit down to dine.
Prepare yourselves, put on your best
To honor every Christmas guest
The dinner waits, and SO do We;
Your arrl--tbis way-fnd each HE place.
The smile on every lip shall be
Received as silent grace. A s..U
Sc seated all, draw up, and then, t.
'aJ to Ike valiant trcnchcrmcn.
his turkey is royal one,
king on this alone might dine;
he "ine--but taste Upright the sun
That ripcncd this good wine:
\ little for the children, dear,
For Christmas comes but once a year,
Sbhn, Master George will take some vino
Be careful OF that lSdy's dress;
Sother, the children think it fine
Behold their happness
slll up for bumpers now call.
' ihedlh TO all! cod bless Us all!
We are happy. Would that every heart
In this great city-all the poor
hho herd together hide apart
The wrongeG-thc evil DOOR
be desperate who shun the light
? would that these were SO 10 night.
'pr Ihey are men; the worst ere men,
Ana they must live, and they must die;
Look kindly down upon them, then,
our Father, and be nigh:
/. J mana Is strong TO help--to save
lhou art their Judge beyond the gravel
be pItiiul, they must bc fed
y entertain these guests Of THING, .
I've these, thy hungry children, bread
Their water turn TO wine!
FAKE them rs happy as Thou art,
Lave DIVINE. Patcrna! heart!