Christmas Mistletoe Poems I Like

 

A farmer's wife, both young and gay,

And fresh as op'ning buds of May;

Had taken to herself, a Spouse,

And plighted many solemn vows,

That she a faithful mate would prove,

In meekness, duty, and in love!

That she, despising joy and wealth,

Would be, in sickness and in health,

His only comfort and his Friend-

But, mark the sequel, -and attend!

 

This farmer, as the tale is told--

Was somewhat cross, and somewhat old!

His, was the wintry hour of life,

While summer smiled before his wife;

A contrast, rather form'd to cloy

The zest of matromonial joy!

 

'Twas Christmas time, the peasant throng

Assembled gay, with dance and Song:

The Farmer's Kitchen long had been

Of annual sports the busy scene;

Thwe wood-fire blaz'd, the chimney wide

Presented seats, on either side;

Long rows of wooden Trenchers, clean,

Bedeck'd with holly-boughs, were seen;

The shining Tankard's foamy ale

Gave spirits to the Goblin tale,

And many a rosy cheek-grew pale.

 

It happen'd, that some sport to shew

The ceiling held a MISTLETOE.

A magic bough, and well design'd

To prove the coyest Maiden, kind.

A magic bough, which DRUIDS old

Its sacred mysteries enroll'd;

And which, or gossip Fame's a lair,

Still warms the soul with vivid fire;

Still promises a store of bliss

While bigots snatch their idol's kiss.

 

This MISTLETOE was doom'd to be

The talisman of Destiny;

Beneath it's ample boughs we're told

Full many a timid Swan grew bold;

Full many a roguish eye askance

Beheld it with impatient glance,

And many a ruddy cheek confest,

The triumphs of the beating breast;

And many a rustic rover sigh'd

Who asked the kiss, and was denied.

 

First MARG'RY smil'd and gave her Lover

A kiss; then thank'd her stars, 'twas over!

Next, KATE, with a reluctant pace,

Was tempted to the mystic place;

Then, SUE, a merry laughing jade

A dimpled yeilding blush betray'd;

While JOAN her chasity to shew

Wish'd "the bold knaves would serve her so,"

She'd "teach the rogues such wanton play!"

And well she could, she knew the way.

 

The FARMER, mute with jealous care,

Sat sullen, in his wicker chair;

Hating the noisy gamesome host

Yet, fearful to resign his post;

He envied all their sportive strife

But most he watch'd his blooming wife,

And trembled, lest her steps should go,

Incautious, near the MISTLETOE.

 

Now HODGE, a youth of rustic grace

With form athletic; manly face;

On MISTRESS HOMESPUN turn'd his eye

And breath'd a soul-declarin sigh!

Old HOMESPUN, mark'd his list'ning Fair

And nestled in his wicker chair;

HODGE swore, she might his heart command--

The pipe was dropp'd from HOMESPUN'S hand!

 

HODGE prest her slender waist around;

The FARMER check'd his draught, and frown'd!

And now beneath the MISTLETOE

'Twas MISTRESS HOMESPUN'S turn to go;

Old Surly shook his wicker chair,

And sternly utter'd --"Let her dare!"

 

HODGE, to the FARMER'S wife declar'd

Such husbands never should be spar'd;

Swore, they deserv'd the worst disgrace,

That lights upon the wedded race;

And vow'd--that night he would not go

Unblest, beneath the MISTLETOE.

 

The merry group all recommend

An harmless Kiss, the strife to end:

"Why not?" says MARG'RY, "who would fear,

A dang'rous moment, once a year?"

SUSAN observ'd, that "ancient folks

"Were seldom pleas'd with youthful jokes;"

But KATE, who, till the fatel hour,

Had held, oe'r HODGE, unrivall'd pow'r,

With curving lip and head aside

Look'd down and smil'd in conscious pride,

Then, anxious to conceal her care,

She humm'd-- "what fools some women are!"

 

Now, MISTRESS HOMESPUN, sorely vex'd,

By pride and jealous rage perplex'd,

And angry, that her peevish spouse

Should doubt her matrimonial vows,

But, most of all, resolved to make

An envious rival's bosom ache;

Command HODGE to let her go,

Nor lead her to the Mistletoe;

 

"Why should you ask it o'er and o'er?"

Cried she, "we've been there twice before!"

"Tis thus, to check a rival's sway,

That Women oft themselves betray;

While VANITY, alone, pursuing,

They rashly prove, their own undoing.

Mary Darby Robinson (1758 - 1800)

 

 

If she had been the Mistletoe

And I had been the Rose,

How gay upon your table

My velvet life to close

Since I am of the Druid,

And she is of the dew,

I'll deck Tradition's buttonhole

And send the Rose to you.

Emily Dickenson (1830 - 1836)

 

Sitting under the mistletoe

(Pale-green, fairy mistletoe),

One last candle burning low,

All the sleepy dancers gone,

Just one candle burning on,

Shadows lurking everywhere:

Someone came, and kissed me there.

 

Tired I was; my head would go

Nodding under the mistletoe

(Pale-green, fairy mistletoe),

No footsteps came, no voice, but only,

Just as I sat there, sleepy, lonely,

Stooped in the still and shadowy air

Lips unseen - and kissed me there.

Walter de la Mare (1873 -1956)