Good King Wenceslas

Good King Wenceslas Giclee Print
Buy at AllPosters.com

Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even.
Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight, gath'ring winter fuel.

"Hither, page, and stand by me, if you know it, telling,
Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?"
"Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the mountain,
Right against the forest fence, by Saint Agnes' fountain."

"Bring me food and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither,
You and I will see him dine, when we bear them thither."
Page and monarch, forth they went, forth they went together,
Through the cold wind's wild lament and the bitter weather.

"Sire, the night is darker now, and the wind blows stronger,
Fails my heart, I know not how; I can go no longer."
"Mark my footsteps, my good page, tread now in them boldly,
You shall find the winter's rage freeze your blood less coldly."

In his master's steps he trod, where the snow lay dinted;
Heat was in the very sod which the saint had printed.
Therefore, Christian men, be sure, while God's gifts possessing,
You who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.

Buy This at Allposters.com

The story of Good King Wenceslas refers to the Duke of Bo­hem­ia, Wenceslas (c. 907-929). Wenceslas was told to have been a kind and generous man, who had been raised by his devoted grandmother. Wenceslas converted his country to Christianity, and brought them a time of peace. (Wenceslas was murdered in 929 by his brother who who had conspired with other family members and pagen nobility).

This songs speaks of Wenceslas going out with his page, on the Feast of Stephen (the day after Christmas). During their walk, Wenceslas sees a poor man gathering wood for his fire. He directs his page to gather food, drink, and logs, and they set forth to bring them to the poor man's home. (Wenceslas was known for bringing alms to the poor, and became known as father of the wretched.)

It was a very cold day, and his page became cold on their walk to the poor man's home. Wenceslas told the boy to walk in his footsteps and in doing so he would feel the cold less. But, in fact, when the page stepped in Wenceslas' footsteps he actually felt a heat from imprints in the snow - a Christmas miracle!

But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. (KJV)