Jane Barlow (1857–1917)

FULL clear and bright this Christmas night range fields of Heaven fire-sown;

But beam from star fled ne’er so far as mine Heart’s Light hath flown

Since kindest eyes beneath yon skies fell dark and left me lone.

Ah, Mary blest! on kingly quest wise men had miss’d their way,

But evermore they saw before a star of soothfast ray,

And follow’d, till its lamp stood still where He who lit it lay.

Such light to friend their search had end, now mine doth but begin,

Yet, mother sweet, may wand’ring feet anigh thy Mansion win,

Above that roof no star for proof need shine to guide them in.

If kindest eyes in olden wise smile soft to bid me learn

That Love, the flower of Earth’s dim hour, hath found a bower eterne

Shall burn rose-red while stars be sped; tho’ stars dropt dead would burn.