Then mourn we not with drooping heart Our prayers from home and friends. The Eucharist of God's dear Son, Is mighty, worlds and hearts in one Wherefore in solemn cheer we pass (Now that the Church hath turned her glass) From year to dawning year. All years to Him are one: and thou, In virtue of thy first dread vow Signing thyself in fear, Make haste, dear child, and onward press To high Communion :— Thy fragments He will glean, and bless With perfect union. X. Holy Seasons and Days. 1. CHRISTMAS EVE: VESPERS. "If it bear fruit, well: if not, then after that Thou shalt cut it down." THE duteous sun hath ceased to keep The vigil of his wondrous birth, Who in few hours, while sinners sleep, Shall dawn on thankless earth. The sun is set, the stars begin Their stations in His watch on high, As once around that Bethlehem inn; The vesper hour is nigh. A little maid with eager gaze Comes hurrying to the House of Prayer, Shaping in heart a wild green maze Of woodland branches there. One look, a cloud comes o'er her dream: What if that little maiden's Lord, Even now take up the accusing word:- "Where are the fruits I yearly seek, As holy seasons pass away, Eyes turned from ill, lips pure and meek, A heart that strives to pray ? "Where are the glad and artless smiles, With the first twilight star?" Spare, gracious Saviour, me and mine: Ere we again that glimmering view, By winter frosts and summer heats, And dare we ask for one year more? If He in Heaven repeat our vow, We copying here His pure dread Will, O dream of joy!—the withered bough May blush with fruitage still. 2. CHRISTMAS EVE: COMPLINE. "Rejoice in the Lord alway." REJOICE in God alway, With stars in Heaven rejoice, Ere dawn of Christ's own day Look up with pure glad eye, And count those lamps on high. Nay, who may count them? on our gaze They from their deeps come out in ever widening maze. Each in his stand aloof Prepares his keenest beam, Upon that hovel roof, In at that door, to stream, |