as i in hoary winter's night stood shivering in the snow
surprised i was with sudden heat which made my heart to glow ;
and lifting up a fearful eye to view what fire was near
a pretty babe all burning bright did in the air appear ;
scorched with excessive heat
such floods of tears did shed
as though his floods should quench his flames which with his tears were fed. alas
but newly born in fiery heats i fry
yet none approach to warm their hearts or feel my fire but i!
my faultless breast the furnace is
the ashes shame and scorns ;
the fuel justice layeth on
and mercy blows the coals
the metal in this furnace wrought are men's defiled souls
as now on fire i am to work them to their good
so will i melt into a bath to wash them in my blood. with this he vanished out of sight and swiftly shrunk away
and straight i called unto mind that it was christmas day.