The Oxen
Thomas Hardy
1840 to 1928
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Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock.
"Now they all on their knees,"
An elder said as sat in a flock
By the embers in hearthside ease.
We pictured the meek mild creatures where
They dwelt their strawy pen,
Nor did it occur to one us there
To doubt they were kneeling then.
So a fancy few would weave
In these years! Yet, feel,
If someone said on Christmas Eve,
"Come; see oxen kneel,
"In the lonely barton by yonder coomb
childhood used to know,"
I should go with in the gloom,
Hoping it might be so.
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