AMPHORA 
XI 
 
Feast of the Nativity 
 
 
HE cool December breezes 
 Appease the glowing sun. 
The agonies and eases 
Of all the year are done :— 
When eastward through the lampless night 
There shone a strange and splendid light. 
 
The noise of pomp and battle 
Of Israel died away. 
Amid the lowing cattle 
The Holy Mother lay, 
While at Her breast the Child Divine 
Drank in the starry milk and wine. 
 
Three magians Chaldean 
Have bowed their royal knees 
Before the Galilean, 
The GOD of stars and seas, 
And tasted all the fervent grace 
That shone from Mary’s maiden face. 
T 
56