King Arthur's Waes-hael

Words: Robert Stephen Hawker. 1804-1875
Vocal Recording: MP3 / OGG

Source: Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900
Located at Bartleby.com: King Arthur's Waes-hael, http://www.bartleby.com/101/674.html
Accessed November 16, 2006

WAES-HAEL for knight and dame!    
  O merry be their dole!    
Drink-hael! in Jesu's name    
  We fill the tawny bowl;    
But cover down the curving crest,
Mould of the Orient Lady's breast.

Waes-hael! yet lift no lid:    
  Drain ye the reeds for wine.    
Drink-hael! the milk was hid    
  That soothed that Babe divine;
Hush'd, as this hollow channel flows,    
He drew the balsam from the rose.

Waes-hael! thus glow'd the breast    
  Where a God yearn'd to cling;    
Drink-hael! so Jesu press'd
  Life from its mystic spring;    
Then hush and bend in reverent sign    
And breathe the thrilling reeds for wine.

Waes-hael! in shadowy scene    
  Lo! Christmas children we:
Drink-hael! behold we lean    
  At a far Mother's knee;    
To dream that thus her bosom smiled,    
And learn the lip of Bethlehem's Child.

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