Episode 22: The Oxen

The Oxen
by Thomas Hardy

Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock,
  ‘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
  They dwelt in their strawy pen,
Nor did it occur to any of us there
  To doubt they were kneeling then.

So fair a fancy few would weave
  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.