Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


MISTLETOE by JOHN BANISTER TABB

First Line: TO THE CRADLE-BOUGH OF A NAKED TREE
Last Line: "LET NOW MY SOUL DEPART."
Subject(s): CHRISTMAS; MISTLETOE; NATIVITY, THE;

To the cradle-bough of a naked tree,
Benumbed with ice and snow,
A Christmas dream brought suddenly
A birth of mistletoe.

The shepherd stars from their fleecy cloud
Strode out on the night to see;
The Herod north-wind blustered loud
To rend it from the tree.

But the old year took it for a sign,
And blessed it in his heart:
"With prophecy of peace divine,
Let now my soul depart."



Home: PoetryExplorer.net