Classic Poem

(1)

The Red-Bud, the Kentucky Tree,
Bloomed the spring to life for me
In Freelands; and the Mocking Bird
— Nimble chorister of glee,
Sweet as poet ever heard
In a world of ecstasy —
Sang the summer, and the sun;
Sang the summer in to me.

(2)

The spring is gone! The summer gone!
The Cardinal has gone away!
The fire-flies, dancing on the lawn,
— Each a little moon at play —
Are gone, with summer, gone away!
And, where green acres were aglow,
Daisy munches in the snow!

(3)

A snowy field! A stable piled
With straw! A donkey's sleepy pow!
A mother beaming on a child!
A manger, and a munching cow!
— These we all remember now —
And airy voices, heard afar!
And three Magicians, and a Star!

(4)

Two thousand times of snow declare
That on the Christmas of the year
There is a singing in the air;
And all who listen for it hear
A fairy chime, a seraph strain,
Telling He is born again,
— That all we love is born again.