CARLO’S CHRISTMAS.
Reading edition
May I come to your side, dear Mistress? I am only a dog, you see, And the Christmas joy and gladness Perhaps are not meant for me. Yet I think the Master would let me, If I only begged to eat The crumbs that fell from His table, And to lie at His blessèd feet. I have heard the wonderful story Of the sleeping flocks by night, Of Bethlehem and the angels And the one Star, shining bright; And I’ve longed, when I heard the story, A shepherd-dog to be, For then it might seem that Christmas Was partly meant for me. But I only look up at the Master With a life that is veiled and dumb, Content to share with the sparrow His love, and the falling crumb. May I lie at your feet, dear Mistress? I am only a dog, you see, But if I may serve you and love you, Why, that is Christmas for me!
