4-7 50 
 096 
 V9I5 
 
 THE. oxtrsj 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of tiiis book is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924012964825 
 
THE 1 
 OXEN. 
 
 By THOMAS HARDY. 
 
 Published in "The Times," 24th December, 1915. 
 Reprinted at Hove, 28lh December, 1915. 
 
 d 
 

 j;^^ 
 
 f^lipr^-oj 
 
/CHRISTMAS Eve, and twelve of the clock. 
 Va "Now they are all on their knees," 
 An elder said as we sat in a flock 
 
 By the embers in hearthside ease. 
 
 We pictured the meek mild creatures where 
 The}' dwelt in their strawy pen, 
 
 Nor did it occur to one of us there 
 To doubt they were kneeling then. 
 
 So fair a fancy few believe 
 
 In these years! Yet, I feel, 
 If someone said on Christmas Eve 
 
 "Come; see the oxen kneel 
 
 " In the lonely barton by yonder coomb 
 Our childhood used to know," 
 
 I should go with him in the gloom, 
 Hoping it might be so. 
 
Cornell University Library 
 
 PR4750.O98 1915 
 
 The oxen. 
 
 3 1924 012 964 825