The Oxen

poems--the-oxen

Source URL https://ririro.com/poems/the-oxen/

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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 one 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.

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  "title": "The Oxen",
  "author": "Thomas Hardy",
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  "summary": "The narrative is set on Christmas Eve and revolves around a nostalgic recollection of a traditional belief that at midnight, oxen would kneel in reverence to commemorate the birth of Jesus. This story touches on themes of innocence and faith, depicting a group of individuals gathered around a fire as an elder recalls this charming legend. The listeners, mostly children, imagine the serene scene and accept the story without doubt. The poem reflects on the longing to believe in such wonder during childhood and suggests that such magical beliefs become harder to embrace in adulthood. Despite this, there remains a faint hope that rekindles the possibility of finding truth in legends if given the chance to witness it again.",
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    "We pictured the meek mild creatures where They dwelt in their strawy pen, Nor did it occur to one 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."
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