Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE CHRISTMAS QUEST, by ISABEL ECCLESTONE MACKAY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE CHRISTMAS QUEST, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Little, lonely shepherd lad
Last Line: "he will find—a child!"
Subject(s): Children; Christmas; Childhood; Nativity, The


"LITTLE, lonely shepherd lad,
Wherefore do you weep?"
"Sir, my father seeks a star;
I must watch the sheep.

"Very lonely is the plain
Very high the star—
Pray you, did you meet a lamb?
One has wandered far."

"Nay, I met no wandering lamb,
Little shepherd lad;
Is it but the lonely plain
That has made you sad?"

"Sir, my father and the rest
Heard a heavenly sound;
I heard nothing, save the sheep
Bleating all around!

"Wondrous things they heard and saw
(Though the night was still)
I saw nothing, save my lambs
White against the hill.

"Light was on my father's face
When he went away,
Fain I, too, had sought the star,
But he bade me stay.

" 'This high thing is not for you,
Who art but a lad,'
Said my father—that is why
I at heart am sad."

"Nay, my little shepherd lad,"
(Sweet the stranger smiled)
"When your father finds the star
He will find—a Child!"





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