Classic Poem

Chants, incense, and the glory pass and die:
The festive lights diminish; solemn prayer
Gives way to ribald song and pageantry,
And market cries again confuse the square.

And he whose spirit held us for one day,
Seeing love consumed again by doubt and fear,
Sorrowing, returns the long and thorny way
Until we make him welcome through the year.

Chants, incense, and the glory pass and die:
—The festive lights diminish; solemn prayer
Gives way to ribald song and pageantry,
—And market cries again confuse the square.

And he whose spirit held us for one day,
—Seeing love consumed again by doubt and fear,
Sorrowing, returns the long and thorny way
—Until we make him welcome through the year.