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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE HOSTAGE, by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: In dead of dark to the starry north
Last Line: And thine own son to be.'
Alternate Author Name(s): Ramal, Walter; De La Mare, Walter
First Line: In dead of dark to the starry north
Last Line: And thine own son to be.'
Alternate Author Name(s): Ramal, Walter; De La Mare, Walter
In dead of dark to the starry North
St. Nicholas drew near;
He had ranged the World this wintry night,
His elk-bells jangling clear.
Now bitter-worn with age was he,
And weary of Mankind, for few
Had shown him love or courtesy.
His sacks lay empty -- all save one;
And this to his affright
Stirred as he stopped with fingers numb,
Ablaze with hoar-frost bright.
Aghast he stood. Showed fumbling thumb,
Small shoulder, a wing: What stowaway
Was this, and whence was't come?
And out there crept a lovely Thing --
Half angel and half child: --
'I, youngest of all Heaven, am here,
To be thy Joy,' he smiled.
'O Nicholas, our Master Christ
Thy grief hath seen; and He
Hath bidden me come to keep His tryst,
And bring His love to thee;
To serve thee well, and sing, Nowell,
And thine own son to be.'
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