childsnow
by Chesterton · Cluster: Faith · Providence · Divine Love
Abstract
A mystical Nativity lyric: the Christ-child born at the inn at the world’s end while the old pagan gods die; a hymn of the heart of the earth as a star.
Testo / Text
Connections
Settings: Inn
Topoi: Golden Age, Sic Transit Gloria Mundi Archetypes: Innocent Motifs: Winter, Fire, Stars, Inn Tavern, Snow, Frost, Night, Death, Leaves Themes & Concepts: Divine Love, Grace and Redemption, Wonder and Gratitude, Paganism and Classical Revival Forms & Genres: Hymn, Lyric Historical References: Christianity Characters: Christ
Testo integrale / Full text
A Child of the Snows
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There is heard a hymn when the panes are dim,
And never before or again,
When the nights are strong with a darkness long,
And the dark is alive with rain.
Never we know but in sleet and in snow,
The place where the great fires are,
That the midst of the earth is a raging mirth
And the heart of the earth a star.
And at night we win to the ancient inn
Where the child in the frost is furled,
We follow the feet where all souls meet
At the inn at the end of the world.
The gods lie dead where the leaves lie red,
For the flame of the sun is flown,
The gods lie cold where the leaves lie gold,
And a Child comes forth alone.
- G.K. Chesterton
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