red in the South
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep.
"God is not dead; nor doth He sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!"

* * * * *

MINSTRELS AND MAIDS

WILLIAM MORRIS

Outlanders, whence come ye last?
_The snow in the street and the wind on the door._
Through what green seas and great have ye past?
_Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor._

From far away, O masters mine,
_The snow in the street and the wind on the door._
We come to bear you goodly wine,
_Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor._

From far away we come to you,
_The snow in the street and the wind on the door._
To tell of great tidings strange and true,
_Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor._

News, news of the Trinity,
_The snow in the street and the wind on the door._
And Mary and Joseph from over the sea!
_Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor._

For as we wandered far and wide,
_The snow in the street and the wind on the door._
What hap do you deem there should us betide!
_Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor._

Under a bent when the night was deep,
_The snow in the street and the wind on the door._
There lay three shepherds tending their sheep.
_Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor._

"O ye shepherds, what have ye seen,
_The snow in the street and the wind on the door._
To slay your sorrow, and heal your teen?"
_Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor._

"In an ox-stall this night we saw,
_The snow in the street and the wind on the door._
A babe and a maid without a flaw.
_Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor._

"There was an old man there beside,
_The snow in the street and the wind on the door._
His hair was white and his hood was wide.