CHRISTMAS EVE.
Alone—with one fair star for company,
The loveliest star among the hosts of night,
While the grey tide ebbs mth the ebbing light—
I pace along the darkening wintry sea.
Now romid the yule-log and the glittering tree
Twinklmg with festive tapers, eyes as bright
Sparkle vith Christmas joys and young delight,
As each one gathers to his family.
But I—a waif on earth where'er I roam—
Uprooted with life's bleeding hopes and fears
From that one heart that was my heart's sole home
Feel the old pang pierce through the severing years,
And as I think upon the years to come
That fair star trembles through my fallmg tears.
THE EVENING OF THE YEAR.
Wan mists enwrap the still-born day;
The harebell withers on the heath;
And all the moorland seems to breathe
The hectic beauty of decay.
Within the open grave of May
Dishevelled trees drop wreath on wreath;
Wind-wrung and ravelled underneath
Waste leaves choke up the woodland way.
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