The challenge echoed over all --
Halt! Who goes there?
A quaint old figure clothed in white,
He bore a staff of pine,
An ivy-wreath was on his head.
`Advance, oh friend,' the sentry said,
Advance, for this is Christmas night,
And give the countersign.'
`No sign nor countersign have I,
Through many lands I roam
The whole world over far and wide,
To exiles all at Christmastide,
From those who love them tenderly
I bring a thought of home.
`From English brook and Scottish burn,
From cold Canadian snows,
From those far lands ye hold most dear
I bring you all a greeting here,
A frond of a New Zealand fern,
A bloom of English rose.
`From faithful wife and loving lass
I bring a wish divine,
For Christmas blessings on your head.'
`I wish you well,' the sentry said,
But here, alas! you may not pass
Without the countersign.'
He vanished -- and the sentry's tramp
Re-echoed down the line.
It was not till the morning light
The soldiers knew that in the night
Old Santa Claus had come to camp
Without the countersign.
[End of Rio Grande's Last Race and Other Verses.
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