O’er the hill and o’er the vale
Come three kings together,
Caring nought for snow and hail,
Cold, and wind, and weather;
Now on Persia’s sandy plains,
Now where Tigris swells with rains,
They their camels tether;
Now through Syrian lands they go,
Now through Moab, faint and slow,
Now through Edom’s heather.
O’er the hill and o’er the vale,
Each king bears a present:
Wise men go a Child to hail,
Monarchs seek a peasant;
And a star in front proceeds,
Over rocks and rivers leads,
Shines with beams incessant.
Therefore onward, onward still!
Ford the stream and climb the hills:
Love makes all things pleasant.
He is God ye go to meet;
Therefore incense proffer.
He is King ye go to greet:
Gold is in your coffer.
Also Man He comes to share
Every woe that man can bear:
Tempter, railer, scoffer;
Therefore now against the day,
In the grave where Him they lay,
Myrrh ye also offer.
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