... WAS A IN BETHLEHEM m n ^JpHERE was a baby born in Bethlehem. Ily] I know they say That this and that's in doubt; and, for the rest, I That learned men who surely should know best I Explain how myths crept in, and followers' tales confused the truth. I know but any way V There was a baby born in Bethlehem i Who lived and grew and loved and healed gp and taught. ijg s-fja And died but not to me. ...

... a (Efortetmas Hcncnh By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow UHitlaf, a king of tbc Sajons, Ere get bis last be breatbeb, fTo tbc nterrB monks of CroBlanb Hois brinkiitg born bcqucatbcb. bat whenever tbeB sat at tbeir revels anb brank from tbc goiben bowl, tTbcv migbt remember tbc bonor anb brcatbe a praBcr for bis soul. So sat tbev once at Christmas, anb babe tbc goblet pass 3-n their bcarbs tbe rcb ...

... Dark, dark, so dark The silent stars 'Neath deepening mists have hid their light; The groping soul against the bars Of earth beats vainly in the night When lo, a little child is born, and all the world is bright Cold, cold, so cold The shrouding snow Across earth' s heart throws icy arm; While frozen shapes flit to and fro Of things that hurt, and things that harm When lo, a little child ...

... bmb wnifc y. rs ii ,\v\ [\\C Son of krod Is torn for off. At Bethf era in a cattle staff He Ctetfv in a crib so smalt, And wrapped in swaddurig' domes withal. Rejoice to-day for lesu's sate, Aitkin our hearts His cradle make; A sfirine wherein the Babe may take His rest in slumber or awake. How chant vrc merrily 1 -o7 ACtth suck as play in orgaao; Aid with the singers in c&oro; Benedicamus ...

... THE CHARM of BRITAIN 111 town and country So, when spring comes. And sunshine comes again like an old smile And the fresh tealers, and awakened birds. And budding tcoods await us I shall be Prepared, and we tcill go and think again, And all old loves shall come to us but changed As some sweet thought which harsh words veiled before; Feeling God loves us, and that all that errs Is a strange ...

... A New Poem by BRYCE McMASTER Grey lies the loch in twilight A curlew's whistling cry The peat's black desolation; The heather burnt and dry. Swayed by the wind of sunset The rushes stir and sigh. Beyond the misty ranges Pale sunlight fades and spills. Turning to molten silver The chattering water-rills That break with wavering music The hush among the hills. But though the hills be shrouded, ...

... By MARGARET SACKVILLE. Others have seen the sun. Not ours alone These ardent days. Vineyards were red in France Before our time, and English winds have flown Over green fields on pinions of romance. Not ours alone these skies, or this light mood Of May, or swallows skimming in mid-air; Upon these crumbling walls Caesar has stood. And Hector once was brave and Helen fair. O, friend 1 Our lips ...

... (SlMANCA, A D. 1607) Take from afar my vow and salutation, Isle in the West I never now shall see Know me for thine who yet with adoration Kiss in all wine the earth and air of thee. Here's to the sky, a rose that opes at even, One liquid star for dewdrop on the rose Here's to the shower that nesting low in heaven Thrice in an hour light- winged comes and gojs. Here's to my lost and blessed ...

... . Army Reserve a worshipper of Bobs, With whom he stripped the smock from Candahar; Neat as his mount, that neatest among cobs; Whenever pageants pass, or meetings are, He moves conspicuous, vigilant, severe, With his light cavalry hand and seat and look, A living type of order, in whose sphere Is room for neither hooligan nor hock. For in his shadow, wheresoe'er he ride, Paces, all eye ...

... A Dream Trousseau WHOEVER has a mind to abundance of trouble. Let him furnish himself with a Ship and a Woman, For no two things will find you more employment, If once you begin to rig them out with all their streamers, Nor are they ever sufficiently adornered, Or satisfied that you have done enough to set them fourth. Extract o ne black gown ol Rick Silk, wkick odd is W.tkout one colour d ...

... . She walks in beauty, envious sight To other Eves with charms that wane, And to her figure tall and slight Cling robes that spell the banks of Seine, While kidnabped hubbies say, How nice! And shudder when they hear the price. And in those eyes and o'er that brow The message runs to her that reads Discard those frocks, demode now A robe like mine your beauty needs. And hubbies wear an ...

... t Bah, bah, Frenchman, Have you any francs Yes, marry, yes, marry, Billions in the banks; Some for submarines, More for aeroplanes, But none for John Bull until I've subsidised Poland and the Little Entente and run a campaign against the Druses and Abd-el-Krim, and paid something on account to the U.S.A. And I see what remains. Of Signor Mussolini I inquired How Italy was weathering the ...