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The Ballad of Befana
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Phyllis McGinley

Befana the Housewife,
scrubbing her pane,
Saw three old sages ride
down the lane,
Saw three gray travelers
pass her door-
Gaspar, Balthazar, Melchior.
"Where journey you, sirs?"
she asked of them.
Balthazar answered, "To
Bethlehem,
For we have news of a
marvelous thing
Born in a stable is Christ
the King."
"Give Him my welcome!"
Then Gaspar smiled,
"Come with us, mistress, to
greet the Child."
"Oh, happily, happily would
I fare,
Were my dusting through and
I'd polished the stair.
"Old Melchior leaned on his
saddle horn.
"Then send but a gift to
the small Newborn."
"Oh, gladly, gladly I'd
send Him one,
And a coverlet too," Befana
said."
When the rooms are aired
and the linen dry,
I'll look at the Babe."
But the Three rode by.
She worked for a day and a
night and a day,
Then, gifts in her hands,
took up her way.
But she never could find
where the Christ Child lay.
And still she wanders at
Christmastide,
Houseless, whose house was
all her pride,
Whose heart was tardy,
whose gifts were late,
Wanders, and knocks at
every gate,
Crying, "Good people, the
bells begin!
Put off your toiling and
let love in!"
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