Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Asia: Vols. XXI–XXIII. 1876–79. | | | | Syria: Bethlehem | | The Star of Bethlehem | | Reginald Heber (1783–1826) |
| | | BRIGHTEST and best of the sons of the morning, | |
| Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid: | |
| Star of the east, the horizon adorning, | |
| Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid. | |
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| Cold on his cradle the dew-drops are shining, | 5 |
| Low lies his head with the beasts of the stall; | |
| Angels adore him in slumber reclining,— | |
| Maker, and Monarch, and Saviour of all. | |
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| Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion, | |
| Odors of Edom, and offerings divine, | 10 |
| Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean, | |
| Myrrh from the forest, and gold from the mine? | |
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| Vainly we offer each ample oblation, | |
| Vainly with gold would his favor secure; | |
| Richer by far is the heart’s adoration, | 15 |
| Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor. | |
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| Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, | |
| Dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid; | |
| Star of the east, the horizon adorning, | |
| Guide where our Infant Redeemer is laid. | 20 | | | |
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