The Burning Babe

As I in hoary winter's night stood shivering in the snow

Surprised I was with sudden heat which made my heart to glow

And lifting up a fearful eye to view what fire was near

A pretty babe, all burning bright did in the air appear

Who, scorch'd with excessive heat, such floods of tears did shed

As though his floods should quench his flames which with his tears were fed

Alas, quoth he, but newly born in fiery heats I fry

Yet none approach to warm their hearts or feel my fire but I!

My faultless breast the furnace is, the fuel wounding thorns

Love is the fire, and sighs the smoke, the ashes shame and scorns

The fuel justice layeth on, and mercy blows the coals

The metal in this furnace wrought are men's defiled souls

For which, as now on fire, I am to work them to their good

So will I melt into a bath to wash them in my blood

With this he vanished out of sight and swiftly shrunk away

And straight I call'd unto mind that it was Christmas day