Classic Poem

It was Christmas Eve, and the stars shone bright,
But the Frost-King reigned around;
And the flakes which fell so soft and light
Still lay on the frozen ground.

I walked the street of an ancient town;
And a spirit walked with me:
I saw on the noble brow no frown;
And I whispered, “A welcome to thee.”

He gave me a mirror which showed the Past,—
'Twas the Future I longed to know,
Till he said, with a voice like the wintry blast,
All chilling, severe, “Not so!”

Then I meekly said, “In the Lord's own time;”
And I gazed in the magic glass;
And I saw a vision sweet, sublime,
With its glorious angels, pass.

Then he bade me list; and the air was stirred
By a sweeter than mortal tone:
'Twas the song of the host the shepherds heard
When the Star of Bethlehem shone.

And my heart beat high with a hope to join
In that everlasting song;
And I asked of him in whose hand was mine,
“How long must I wait?—how long?”

“Sing it now, with a thankful heart,—sing it now:
Let thy life be a Christmas glee!”
And a kiss of peace felt my upturned brow,
From the spirit that walked with me.

Then he passed away from that quiet path,
With adieu like the zephyr's sigh;
And my soul rejoiced in the hope that earth
Would yet echo the song of the sky.