The "Beauty" shook his silvery locks.
"What you again? My yearly call!
By Jove, how soundly I have slept!"
Then, with a laugh that shook the wall,
Unto his feet Old Christmas leapt.

"What! Twelve! 'Tis time that I awoke,
And to the waiting world appeared."
He yawned, and cracked his annual joke,
And ran his fingers through his beard.
"How say you? Is it slop or snow?"
She answered, "Come along, old chap!
We've much to do and far to go,
Ere you resume your annual nap."

THE DEPARTURE.

And on the Old Sire's arm she leant,
And round her waist his arm did fold;
And forth into the world they went,
To glad the grieved, to warm the cold.
Across the town, and far away,
Of kindness full, and frolic whim,
To cheer all hearts went Christmas Day,
That white-wing'd Presence following him.

Near Nineteen Hundred times hath she,
The gentle goddess, free and fair,
Awaked with kiss Old Father C.
To make the wintry world their care.