Christmas Duet

A charming Victorian verse that captures the quiet magic of Christmas Eve. Written in graceful couplets, the poem presents what its title promises: a duet, a dialogue between two voices sharing a moment of seasonal wonder. The speakers exchange gentle observations about the winter chill, the warmth of hearth fires, and the peculiar tenderness the holiday brings to even the simplest exchanges. Ashby-Sterry's light touch and ear for conversational rhythm give the piece the quality of overheard intimacy, as if the reader has stumbled upon two souls finding comfort in each other's company amid the cold. Originally published in 1888 in The Lazy Minstrel, it remains a small jewel of holiday verse, perfect for reading by candlelight on a winter's night.