1819-20
THE SKETCH BOOK
CHRISTMAS DAY
by Washington Irving
Dark and dull night, flie hence away,
And give the honor to this day
That sees December turn'd to May.
* * * * * * * *
Why does the chilling winter's morne
Smile like a field beset with corn?
Or smell like to a meade new-shorne,
Thus on the sudden?- Come and see
The cause why things thus fragrant be.
HERRICK.
WHEN I woke the next morning, it seemed as if all the events of
the preceding evening had been a dream, and nothing but the identity
of the ancient chamber convinced me of their reality. While I lay
musing on my pillow, I heard the sound of little feet pattering
outside of the door, and a whispering consultation. Presently a
choir of small voices chanted forth an old Christmas carol, the burden
of which was-
Rejoice, our Savior he was born
On Christmas day in the morning.
I rose softly, slipt on my clothes, opened the door suddenly, and
beheld one of the most beautiful little fairy groups that a painter
could imagine.
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