_By Ellen M. Staples_
To an English home one bright Yuletide
While Christmas bells rang loud and wide
Came a babe with the gentle eyes of a dove
And a face as fair as a thought of love.
"Now, God be thanked," the old nurse cried,
"That the child is born at Christmas-tide;
"For the blessed sake of Mary's Son
God's benison falls on lives begun
"When Christmas music fills the air
And men are joyful everywhere.
"And as to Him came Wise Men three
Offering gifts on bended knee
"So to one born at the Holy Time
On land or sea, in every clime,
"Come three Good Fairies, and each one bears
A gift to brighten the coming years."
The pallid mother gently smiled
And looked upon her tender child.
"Good nurse, the legend is full sweet;
And I lay my babe at His dear feet
"Whose human Sonhood is aware
Of the painful bliss that mothers bear.
"I can well believe that heaven may
Send gifts to the child of Christmas Day."
Tired by her flight from Paradise
The baby shut her wondering eyes,
Nor knew that 'round the cradle stood,
To bless the babe, three Fairies good.
The First bent over the cradle head;
"These are my gifts to her," she said:
"A sunny nature, a voice of song,
And may faithful friends uncounted throng!"
The Second murmured in accents low:
"The path will be steep and rough, I know,
"So I give her a heart that is brave and strong,
That will patiently work, though the way be long;
"And though life may fill them with toil and care
Her hands shall weaker ones' burdens share."
Then stood the Third for a moment's space
To thoughtfully gaze on the baby face,
And over her own a radiance came
As she softly said: "My gift is a name.
"Though born while the earth lies spread with
snow
The babe is a summer-child, and so
"The sunny nature, the voice of song,
The helpful hands, true heart and strong
"With Nature's self should be in tune,
Sweet child, I name thee Jenny June."