Poems (Bushnell)/The Child's Star
XITHE CHILD'S STAR
The Christmas night fell softly down, And closed the crimson West;And lighting on the snow-clad town Dropped peace upon its breast.
A happy party, homeward bound, Drove down the lighted street;Their horses skimmed the ivory ground With swift and dainty feet.
The tinkling sleigh-bells spurred their pace The downy furs were heaped;And from its nest a little face With winter roses peeped.
The sparkling crescent in the sky Swung on its silver rim,And as the child flew quickly by It seemed to fly with him.
"O, see that pretty star!" and thus His growing thought did come:"Mamma, it's going home with us— It's going to its home!"
Oh! happy child, your words went far; Yes, farther than you guessed; And high upon the horned star You hung a fancy blest.
Long, long ago some pilgrims had The thought that pleases you, And all the world to-night is glad Because the thought was true.
And when, dear boy, your fancies sweet To certainties have grown, You'll reach the star that leads your feet, Nor find the fancy flown.