POETRY.

RING FORTH WITH THEE EVERY LIVING THING."

AT Christmas time I did arise,

And took my pilgrim staff in band; Among the simple as the wise To seek my Christ through all the land.

I sought Him long; I sought Him far; I was not led by any Star.

In palace high I found Him not, Although men hailed Him King of All ; Nor yet in any peasant's cot, Though lowly He and meek withal.

I sought Him long; I sought Him far; I was not led by any Star.

I found a church both great and fair Where men did burn the incense fine;

I saw the tapers flicker there—

I did not see Him at the shrine.

I sought Him long; I sought Him far; I was not led by any Star.

At length when all my strength was spent

—For I had sought Him so in vain—

And stony was the way I went, My pilgrim staff was snapped in twain.- I sought Him long; I sought Him far; I was not led by any Star.

Afar I was from hearth-side glow, And barred each door where I would stay, I turned me to a stable low To shelter me till break of day.

I sought Him long ; I sought Him far; I was not led by any Star.

Fair shone the place with wondrous fire, Within, the beasts were gathered all; The browsing kine from out the byre, The horse and ass from stable stall.

I sought Him long; I sought Him far; I was not led by any Star.

And in their midst a Babe new-born, A smiling Babe was on the hay, Which feared in naught the oxen's horn ; A shepherd's dog beside Him lay.

I sought Him long ; I sought Him far; I was not led by any Star.

Doubting, I stayed me at the sill.

The beasts were met from fold and road, Which yield their lives at man his will, Which bear the burtben, brook the goad.

I sought Him long; I sought Him far; I was not led by any Star.

There warm He lay whom men cast forth, There safe He lay whom men betrayed, Who chose among the beasts His birth, —I kneeled beside the sill and prayed; And found Him thus I sought so far; I was not led by any Star.

Dom. GRENNWELL MCCHESMIY.