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1804-1875
WAES-HAEL for knight and dame!
O merry be their dole!
Drink-hael! in Jesus name
We fill the tawny bowl;
But cover down the curving crest,
Mould of the Orient Ladys breast.
Waes-hael! yet lift no lid:
Drain ye the reeds for wine.
Drink-hael! the milk was hid
That soothed that Babe divine;
Hushd, as this hollow channel flows,
He drew the balsam from the rose.
Waes-hael! thus glowd the breast
Where a God yearnd to cling;
Drink-hael! so Jesu pressd
Life from its mystic spring;
Then hush and bend in reverent sign
And breathe the thrilling reeds for wine.
Waes-hael! in shadowy scene
Lo! Christmas children we:
Drink-hael! behold we lean
At a far Mothers knee;
To dream that thus her bosom smiled,
And learn the lip of Bethlehems Child.
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