Rondeau for Christmas 1900
To light the year at Christmastide
we raise1
The holly thronged with ruddy suns, and sprays2
Of moon-encumbered mistletoe we twist :3
So ice and fire and life and death have kissed,4
And sun and moon and night and day have praise.5
Dear friend, when seasons lengthen out their days,6
These symbolled suns, evolving from the haze,7
Shall fill their lamps with gold and amethyst8
To light thy year.9
When nights are lost in thick of flowery maze,10
These symbolled moons shall send athwart thy ways11
The silver atmosphere where dreams persist,12
And slow evolving from their films of mist13
Shall trim their horns with pearl and chrysoprase14
To light thy year.15