Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A BALLAD FOR CHRISTMAS-TIDE, by GEORGE MURRAY (1830-1910)


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A BALLAD FOR CHRISTMAS-TIDE, by                    
First Line: There is a story that hath oft
Last Line: Can bridge securely o'er!
Subject(s): Christmas; Evil; Heaven; Hell; Lazarus; Poverty; Wealth; Nativity, The; Paradise; Riches; Fortunes


There is a story that hath oft
My spirit deeply stirred,
None ever at its words have scoffed,
Although so often heard.

I call to mind no other tale,
More fitted for the time;
Its pathos cannot wholly fail
To consecrate my rhyme.

A rich man dwelt in days of old
Within a palace rare;
Arrayed in purple and in gold
He fed on sumptuous fare.

And to his gateway there did crawl
A Lazar, old and sore,
Who begged the crumbs that chanced to fall
Upon the palace floor.

Alas! in vain the Lazar prayed;
They bade him "Quick, begone!"
In purple and in gold arrayed
Still Dives feasted on.

Death came—and Lazarus at last
With Angels went to dwell;
The rich man's spirit also passed
Away from earth—to hell.

And thence he lifts his burning eyes
In torment and unrest,
And sees the Lazar, as he lies
In Abraham's holy breast.

"One drop, one drop, in Mercy's name,
To cool my tongue," he cried,
"I am tormented in this flame!"
That blessing was denied.

O brothers! ye, who riches own,
To starving want be just;
Heaven counts those riches but a loan,
A temporary trust.

There is a gulf which yawns between
The Wealthy and the Poor,
And Love alone that wide ravine
Can bridge securely o'er!





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