| |
| COME home with me a little space | |
| And browse about our ancient place, | |
| Lay by your wonted troubles here | |
| And have a turn of Christmas cheer. | |
| These sober walls of weathered stone | 5 |
| Can tell a romance of their own, | |
| And these wide rooms of devious line | |
| Are kindly meant in their design. | |
| Sometimes the north wind searches through, | |
| But be shall not be rude to you. | 10 |
| We’ll light a log of generous girth | |
| For winter comfort, and the mirth | |
| Of healthy children you shall see | |
| About a sparkling Christmas tree. | |
| Eleanor, leader of the fold, | 15 |
| Hermione with heart of gold, | |
| Elaine with comprehending eyes, | |
| And two more yet of coddling size, | |
| Natalie pondering all that’s said, | |
| And Mary with the cherub head— | 20 |
| All these shall give you sweet content | |
| And care-destroying merriment, | |
| While one with true madonna grace | |
| Moves round the glowing fire-place | |
| Where father loves to muse aside | 25 |
| And grandma sits in silent pride. | |
| And you may chafe the wasting oak, | |
| Or freely pass the kindly joke | |
| To mix with nuts and home-made cake | |
| And apples set on coals to bake. | 30 |
| Or some fine carol we will sing | |
| In honor of the Manger King | |
| Or hear great Milton’s organ verse | |
| Or Plato’s dialogue rehearse | |
| What Socrates with his last breath | 35 |
| Sublimely said of life and death. | |
| These dear delights we fain would share | |
| With friend and kinsman everywhere, | |
| And from our door see them depart | |
| Each with a little lighter heart. | 40 |
| |
