Sunday at Home.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 39, 22 December 1894, Page 13

Sunday at Home.

A CHRISTMAS POEM. It was the calm and silent night! Seven hundred years and fifty-three Had Home been growing up to might, And now was queen of land and sea! No sound was heard of clashing wars. Peace brooded o’er the hushed domain; Apollo, Pallas, Jove, and Mars Held undisturbed their ancient reign— In the solemn midnight. Centuries ago! ’Twas in the calm and silent night! The senator of haughty Home Impatient urged his chariot’s flight, Prom lordly revel rolling home. Triumphal arches, gleaming, swell [sway; His breast with thoughts of boundless What recked the Roman what befell A paltry province far away— In the solemn midnight. Centuries ago! Within that province far away Went plodding home a weary boor ; A streak of light before him lay, Fallen through a half-shut stable door Across his path. He paused, for naught Told what was going on within ; How keen the stars, his only thought; The air how calm, and cold, and thin— In the solemn midnight, Centuries ago! O strange indifference ! —Low and Ugh Drowsed over common joys and cares ; The earth was still, but knew not why ; The world was listening—unawares ! How calm a moment may precede One that shall thrill the world forever ! To that still moment none would heed, Man’s doom was linked, no more to sever— In the solemn midnight, Centuries ago! It is the calm and silent night!! A thousand bells ring out, and throw Their joyous peals abroad, and smite The darkness, charmed and holy now! The night that erst no name had worn, To it a happy name is given ; For in that stable lay, new-born, The peaceful Prince of earth and heaven— In the solemn midnight, Centuries agoj Alfred Domett.