A Child's Christmas

High on a hill a pine-tree grew, Straight and slender against the sky, With its proud crest crowned by a star or two, And its green boughs humming a lullaby.

Until one night, when frost hung white And flashing fire like diamond chips, We cut it down by a lantern's light, And the stars fell out of its rustling tips.

We brought it home while the children dreamed, And hung it heavy with candle-flame, And a shower of gilded bells that gleamed Like a thousand stars till the morning came.

Then we heard the patter of running feet And a sudden tumult of joyous cries, As a carol rang out, gay and sweet, And a Christmas dawn filled all the skies.