THE BALLAD OF CALNAN'S CHRISTMAS. WE BY HELEN GRAY CONE. WHEN you hear the fire-gongs beat fierce along the startled street, Say a prayer for Calnan's sake-he that died on Christmas day! Cling! Cling! Each to his station! Clang! Clang! Quick to clear the way! Fighting nameless battles in the war of every day!) In the morning, blue and mild, of the Mother and the Child, While the blessed bells were calling, thrilled the summons through the wire; In the morning, blue and mild, for a woman and a child Died a man of gentle will, plunging on to fight the fire. Ring, swing, bells in the steeple! Ring the Child and ring the Star, as sweetly as ye may! God's good will to earthly men, the men of every day! "Thirty-four" swung out agleam, with her mighty, bounding team; Jimmy Calnan in his place, with his clean-cut Irish face, Clang! Clang! Quick to clear the way! (Sweetly rang, above the clang, the bells of Christmas day.) Tearing, plunging through the din, scarce a man can hold them in; And the little woman-child, with her waxen child in arm! Oh, God's calls, how swift they are! Oh, the Cross that hides the Star! VOL. LVII.-40. Ring, swing, bells in the steeple! Ring the Star and ring the Cross, for Star and Cross are one! God is pleased with manly men, and deeds that they have done! 309 |