16 DECEMBER 1995, Page 21

Christmas Eve and twelve of the clock. `Now they are

all on their knees,' An elder said as we sat in a flock By the embers in hearthside ease.

We pictured the meek mild creatures where They dwelt in their strawy pen, Nor did it occur to one of us there To doubt they were kneeling then.

So fair a fancy few would weave In those years! Yet, I feel, If someone said on Christmas Eve, `Come; see the oxen kneel, `In the lonely barton by yonder coomb Our childhood used to know,' I should go with him in the gloom, Hoping it might be so.