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Walter Scott - Christmas
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The glowing censers, and their rich perfume;
The splendid vestments, and the sounding choir;
The gentle sigh of soul-subduing piety;
The alms which open-hearted charity 
Bestows, with kindly glance; and those
Which e`en stern avarice.
Though with unwilling hand,
Seems forced to tender; an offering sweet
To the bright throne of mercy; mark
This day a festival.

And well our Christian sires of old
Loved when the year its course had roll`d,
And brought blithe Christmas back again,
With all its hospitable train.
Domestic and religious rite
Gave honour to the holy night.
On Christmas eve the bells were rung,
On Christmas-eve the mass was sung;
That only night in all the year
Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear.
The damsel donn`d her Kirtle sheen;
The hall was dress`d with holly green;
Then open`d wide the baron`s hall,
To vassal -- tenant -- serf and all:
Power laid his rod of rule aside,
And ceremony doff`d his pride.
All hail`d with uncontroll`d delight,
And general voice, the happy night,
That to the cottage, as the crown,
Brought tidings of salvation down.
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