From out the shrouding shadows grim and black
Of some long after-year, it will reach back
Its phantom hands of pain
And smite you with its rod.
Of some long after-year, it will reach back
Its phantom hands of pain
And smite you with its rod.
THE KING
(DECEMBER 24)
HE does not come to those who hoard
Their bounty in their own four walls,
Who spend upon themselves and theirs,
Nor hear the hungry, outside calls—
The King who comes tonight.
Their bounty in their own four walls,
Who spend upon themselves and theirs,
Nor hear the hungry, outside calls—
The King who comes tonight.
He comes instead to those who share
Their crusts or gold with pain and need;
He has no key to unlock breasts
Grown rusty through their selfish greed—
The King who comes tonight.
Their crusts or gold with pain and need;
He has no key to unlock breasts
Grown rusty through their selfish greed—
The King who comes tonight.
This is His feast; he bids the guests
Who gather with him at the board.
He only asks if we have served
His poor—their hope and faith restored—
The King who comes tonight.
Who gather with him at the board.
He only asks if we have served
His poor—their hope and faith restored—
The King who comes tonight.
As in the muted viol sleeps the song,
As in the opal burns the flame,
So 1n the heart swept clean of self
There lies the wonder of his name—
The King who comes tonight.
As in the opal burns the flame,
So 1n the heart swept clean of self
There lies the wonder of his name—
The King who comes tonight.
91
