Thomas Edward Brown

Carol

THREE kings from out the Orient 
For Judah's land were fairly bent, 
To find the Lord of grace; 
And as they journeyed pleasantlie, 
A star kept shining in the sky, 
To guide them to the place. 
“O Star,” they cried, “by all confest 
Withouten dreed, the loveliest!” 
 
The first was Melchior to see, 
The emperour hight of Arabye, 
An aged man, I trow 
He sat upon a rouncy bold, 
Had taken of the red red gold, 
The babe for to endow.  
“O Star,” they cried, “by all confest 
Withouten dreed, the loveliest!” 
 
The next was Gaspar, young and gay, 
That held the realm of far Cathay — 
Our Jesus drew him thence — 
Yclad in silk from head to heel, 
He rode upon a high tameel, 
And bare the frankincense. 
“O Star,” they cried, “by all confest 
Withouten dreed, the loveliest!” 
 
The last was dusky Balthasar, 
That rode upon a dromedary — 
His coat was of the fur. 
Dark-browed he came from Samarkand, 
The Christ to seek, and in his hand 
Upheld the bleeding myrrh. 
“O Star,” they cried, “by all confest 
Withouten dreed, the loveliest!”