Page:A Christmas Faggot (1884, Gurney).djvu/26

8 Than ivory most fair, than purest gold,

More ivory, more fair, and stronger to uphold.

On cherubs twain, whom watching has made wise,

A spell has fallen—a prophetic dream;

Their upward-gazing and far-seeing eyes,

Like stars reflected in a tranquil stream,

To look beyond the Child and Mother seem;

A twisted thorn-branch and a cross to them

Are manifest — His throne and diadem.

High heaven open stands, and there a crowd

Of worshippers with love-lit eyes appear,

Like stars down-gazing through a fleecy cloud,