Now danced are all the dances, br And all the games are done, br The merry noise, the laughter, br Feasting and lights and fun; br The gifts unwrapt and given, br The forfeits paid and won. br br Now firelight pranks the ceiling br Above each sleepy head, br It warms a hand that's clasping br The new toy hugged in bed, br On hair it flickers golden br And cheeks of rosier red. br br But one who wakes from dreaming, br For something stirs her mind br As if in dream persisting br Some fairy--land to find, br Steals tip--toe in her night--gown br And peeps beyond the blind. br br Lo, stars in frosty stillness, br That hush the heart, so bright br They sparkle among the branches br Of the old oak in the night! br Ten thousand stars, and one star br Exceeding all in light. br br Her heart beats in the darkness, br What if, beyond, somewhere br The shepherds now are shuffling br Across the common bare, br The path she knows, by pond and hedge, br The wonder--sight to share? br br And the Wise Men, are they coming, br With long beards, furred and stoled, br The jewelled East behind them, br Laden with spice and gold? br She sees them clear, she sees them br How wise, and oh how old! br br To-night the wise are simple, br And the old forget to scorn br The young heart and the foolish; br The sad are not forlorn. br Hope holds the world in wonder br Because a Child is born.