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The snow lies deep upon the ground,
and winter's brightness all around.
Decks bravely out the forest sere,
with jewels of the brave old year.
The coasting crowd upon the hill
with some new spirit seems to thrill;
and all the temple bells chime.
Ring out the glee of Christmas time.
In happy homes the brown oak-bough
vies with the red-gemmed holly now;
and here and there, like pearls, there show
the berries of the mistletoe.
A sprig upon the chandelier
says to the maidens, "Come not here!"
Even the pauper of the earth
some kindly gift has cheered to mirth!
Within his chamber, dim and cold,
there sits a grasping miser old.
He has no thought save one of gain,--
to grind and gather and grasp and drain.
A peal of bells, a merry shout
assail his ear: he gazes out.
Upon a world to him all gray,
and snarls, "Why, this is Christmas Day!"
No, man of ice, -- for shame, for shame!
For "Christmas Day" is no mere name.
No, not for you this ringing cheer,
this festal season of the year.
And not for you the chime of bells
from holy temple rolls and swells.
In day and deed he has no part-
who holds not Christmas in his heart! ~ ~ Paul Laurence Dunbar ~ ~
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