Chapter II

“_And they came with haste, and they found Mary and Joseph,
and the Infant lying in a manger._”--Luke ii, 16.

Tho’ midnight shadows wrap Him in their pall,
The stars upon His rosy sweetness shine;
From Mary’s bosom to the cattle-stall,
He passes in His baby grace divine!
_Venite adoremus._ In this shrine,
Our God appears, our Saviour, and our All!
Before the Word made Flesh, adoring, fall,
And praise the Everlasting’s blest design.
Far, o’er the hills, the angel-chorus rings;
The Shepherds, thro’ the dusk, are drawing nigh;
St. Joseph’s lantern glows.... The Eastern Kings
Stand out, like giants, ’gainst the bright’ning sky.
“_Glory to God!_”--(the swelling strains increase)
“_And, on the earth, to men of good-will--peace!_”