s: And them disceyued by some cautele or trayne


s: Yet none of them great goodnes cowde obtayne


s: By theyr vnkyndnes for who that so doth cast


s: From all goodnes dost thou nat man withdrawe


s: Agaynst nature, agaynst both right and lawe


s: Therfore thou man expell out from thy mynde


s: This vyce, for we fynde in an olde sayde sawe


s: Bytwene the and Angels is lytell difference


s: Fysshe byrde and beste vnder the fyrmament


s: Say what excuse mayst thou nowe lay or fynde


s: But that thou oughtest agayne to hym be kynde.


s: Thy iyen vpwarde to consyder his hyghnes


s: Where other creatures that ar vnresonable


s: Goeth on all foure and ar nat other able.


s: Theyr loke alway vnto the grounde inclynyd


s: Therfore thou ought in vertue to be stable


s: Subduynge hym self to labour care and payne


s: And lost the consort of goodes hye presence


s: Hath nat christ Jhesu redemyd hym agayne


s: Besyde all this thou hast no thynge certayne


s: In erth but by hym. wherfore I call the blynde


s: And of thy maners vncurtayse and vylayne


s: If to thy sauyour thou be nat true and kynde


s: Thoughe god hath made the (man) thus excellent


s: A lytell thynge shall hym agayne content


s: And in goddes seruyce thy herte and body bynde.


s: Than shall he rewarde the in heuen right gloriously


s: So mayst thou be callyd vnto thy maker kynde


s: Of folys that stande so well in their owne


s: Of suche as agaynst our Nauy did conspyre


s: That they my Shyp may aparayle and atyre


s: Drawe nere ye Folys whiche syttynge by the fyre


s: Loke ay in a glasse to se your countenaunce


s: And in your owne dedis haue all your hole pleasaunce]


s: The mete to dresse to other Folys echone


s: Whiche in his myrrour doth alway gase and loke


s: And though of colour and beaute he haue none


s: Yet thynketh he hym self fayre and right plesant


s: And wyse: thoughe that he be mad and ignorant


s: In his owne conceyte thynkynge hymself right wyse


s: Is of hir fete: yet doth he styll deuyse


s: His vayne myrrour: that onely is his gyse


s: And thoughe he beholde hym self of lothly shape


s: He wyll it nat byleue, but in his glasse doth gape.


s: Though for his foly all men myght hym repreue


s: Within his glasse: he wyll it nat byleue


s: Whiche stande vpon his folysshe hode behynde


s: His lewde conceyt thus makyth hym starke blynde


s: Whan people comon of men of hye prudence


s: Or of hye beauty, and strength if men doth tell


s: If one suche fole were there in the presence


s: He swere durst boldly and that on the gospell


s: And that to gyue councell good and profytable


s: Were none in the worldly vnto hym comparable


s: These folys bost them selfe of theyr wysdome


s: And thynke them selfe to haue preemynence


s: Aboue all other that ar in christendome.


s: In gyftis of grace as beautye and scyence


s: Of strength, gode maners, vertue, and eloquence


s: But thoughe they stande in theyr owne conceytis


s: Nought is saue foly within theyr folysshe patis


s: And thoughe theyr face and vysage stande awry


s: And all to reuylde, theyr mouth standynge asyde


s: Within theyr myrrour the same can they nat spye


s: And whether that they ar styll outher go or ryde


s: Labour or be ydyll, they gase styll in theyr glasse


s: Yet wyll they nat byleue to haue erys lyke an Asse.


s: Oft whan these folys lye in theyr bed vpright


s: With tawny loke or els theyr botyll nose


s: They haue theyr myrrour alway in theyr syght


s: The vayne glasse (of theyr beautye) to apose


s: And whan suche a fole into the kechyn gose


s: To stere the pot, there whether he syt or stande


s: Whan he a whyle his glas hath loken than


s: He boldly durst swere both by god and man


s: That nought were in hym whiche myght repreuyd be


s: But all goodnes, fayre shape, and loke of grauyte


s: And that his gere gayly vpon his backe doth syt


s: As losse, contempt and occasyon of pryde


s: Hath fallyn vnto many by this lewde complacence


s: Whiche haue nat knowen the way themself to gyde


s: The emperour Otho had ay borne by his syde


s: In warre and peas (a glasse) for his pleasaunce


s: To se his colour therin; and countenaunce


s: And to the entent to make his colour gay


s: With Assys mylke he noyntyd oft his skyn


s: After was he sharply punysshyd for this syn


s: To gyue other example to auoyde the same


s: A yonge mayde may at her forhede haue pendant


s: The vayne myrrour to se hir shape pleasant


s: Man sholde nought set by to norysshe his beautye


s: The wanton mayde may for hir self ordayne


s: Hir call hir coyfe, and suche conceytis newe


s: As broches fyletes and oyntmentis souerayne


s: And clothynge of dyuers colour and of hewe


s: But nowe yonge men the same fourme do ensue


s: And to content theyr mad and folysshe mynde


s: To wymen they compare themselfe agaynst kynde


s: The yonge men takyth womans countenaunce


s: Theyr owne conceyt causeth great enormyte


s: Whiche he in marbyll right craftely dyd frame


s: Tyll at the last his mynde was past and gone


s: And he transformed so was in to that stone


s: The childe Narcissus was chaungyd of fygure


s: For whyle his shadowe vnto hym dyd apere


s: That he transformyd was to another kynde.


s: If god sholde them to other shape transpose


s: That thynke them fayre though they be foule and rude


s: Into foule fassyon he many sholde include


s: For whyle Folys theyr owne beauty magnyfy


s: So growyth the nomber and so they multyply


s: Blynde man inclere thy wylfull ignoraunce


s: Stande nat so great in thy owne conceyte


s: Ne in thy lewde fassyon set nat thy pleasaunce


s: Whether thou be pore or man of great estate


s: Another man moche more shall in the wayte


s: Of gode and yll than thou thy self canst do


s: Therfore be nat cause to thy self of disceyte


s: Of lepynges and dauncis and Folys that pas


s: Bysyde the stere for troublynge of his pate


s: He god dyspleasyth, whiche doth suche foly hate


s: Suche lese theyr tyme in vayne and oft therin


s: Ar many hurtis: and cause of dedely syn.]


s: Those folys a place may chalenge in my shyp


s: Whiche voyde of wysdome as men out of theyr mynde


s: Them selfe delyte to daunce to lepe and skyp


s: In compase rennynge lyke to the worlde wyde


s: In vnkynde labour, suche folys pleasour fynde


s: Rennynge about in this theyr furyous vyce


s: Or as the Druydans rennyth in vayne about


s: In theyr mad festes vpon the hylle of yde


s: Makynge theyr sacrafyce with furour noyse and shout


s: Whan theyr madnes settyth theyr wyt asyde


s: Or whan the prestis of mars all nyght abyde


s: To theyr ydollys doynge theyr seruyce detestable


s: Lyke as these paynyms hath to theyr ydols done


s: Theyr sacryfyce wandrynge in theyr madnes


s: Theyr bodyes weryenge, in vayne wastynge their shone


s: So do these fowlys them selfe to daunsynge dres


s: They take suche labour without all hope of gayne


s: Without rewarde sure, of werynes and payne


s: Say Folys that vse this fury and outrage


s: For your great labour say what is your wage


s: But seke occasyon (as I haue sayde) of syn


s: And for thy werynge thy fete thus in the dust


s: Thou gettest no gayne but cause of carnall lust


s: But whan I consyder of this folysshe game


s: The firste begynnynge and cause orygynall


s: For whan the deuyll to disceyue man mortall


s: That euery man the same myght clere beholde


s: So than the Fende grounde of mysgouernaunce


s: As for theyr god and before the same to daunce.


s: Whan they were dronkon, thus fell they in errour


s: Of Idolatry, and forgate theyr creatour.


s: Before this ydoll daunsynge both wyfe and man


s: Dispysynge god: Thus daunsynge fyrst began


s: And sawyth sede wherof groweth great offence


s: And whyle lewde lepys ar vysd in the daunce


s: Oft frowarde bargayns ar made by countenaunce


s: What els is daunsynge but euen a nurcery


s: Or els a bayte to purchase and meyntayne


s: In yonge hertis the vyle synne of rybawdry


s: Them fe*trynge therin, as in a dedely chayne


s: And to say trouth in wordes clere and playne


s: Venereous people haue all theyr hole pleasaunce


s: Theyr vyce to norysshe by this vnthryfty daunce


s: With hasty cours vnto this daunsynge ryn


s: To seke occasyon of vyle synne and offence


s: And to expresse my mynde in short sentence


s: This vyciouse game oft tymes doth attyse


s: By his lewde synes, chast hartis vnto vyce


s: Than it in erth no game is more damnable


s: They that it vse of myndes seme vnstable


s: As mad folke rennynge with clamour showt and cry


s: What place is voyde of this furyous foly


s: These folys the holy churche shall defyle


s: Of people what sort or order may we fynde


s: But by theyr folysshnes, and wanton mynde


s: Of eche sort some ar gyuen vnto the same


s: The prestis and clerkes to daunce haue no shame


s: The frere or monke in his frocke and cowle


s: Must daunce in his dortor lepynge to play the fole


s: And flaterynge yonge men to se to haue theyr pray


s: The hande in hande great falshode oft contryues


s: The olde quean also this madnes wyll assay


s: For age and lamenes stere outher fote or hande


s: Yet playeth he the fole with other in the bande


s: Than lepe they about as folke past theyr mynde


s: He moste is commendyd that can moste lewdnes fynde


s: There ar all maners vsyd that lacke grace


s: Mouynge theyr bodyes in synes full of shame


s: Whiche doth theyr hertes to synne right sore inflame


s: That whan they ar departyd from the daunce


s: Hauynge therin theyr wyll and theyr pleasaunce


s: Than fall they oft to great mysgouernaunce


s: So in my shyp they well deserue a babyll.


s: Do way your daunces ye people moche vnwyse


s: Desyst your folysshe pleasour of trauayle


s: To take suche labour and payne without auayle


s: And who that suspectyth his mayde or wyues tayle


s: Let hym nat suffer them in the daunce to be


s: For in that game thoughe sys or synke them fayle


s: The dyse oft renneth vpon the chaunce of thre


s: Of nyght watchers and beters of the stretes


s: Playnge at his lemmans dore withouten lyght


s: Tyll all his body be colde as lede or stone


s: These folys knockynge tyll the nyght be gone


s: At that season thoughe that they fele no colde


s: Shall it repent and fele whan they be olde.]


s: Nowe wolde I of my boke haue made an ende


s: And with my shyp drawen to some hauen or porte


s: Stryken my sayle, and all my folys sende


s: Vnto the londe, a whyle them selfe to sporte


s: But this my purpose is lettyd by a sorte


s: Of frantyke folys, wandrynge about by nyght


s: For often all yll doers hatyth the day lyght


s: Whyle (man) beste and euery lyuely creature


s: Refresshe theyr myndes and bodyes with rest


s: And slepe: without the whiche none can endure


s: And whyle all byrdes drawe them to theyr nest


s: These dronken bandes of Folys than doth Jest


s: About the stretis, with rumour noyse and cry


s: Syngynge theyr folysshe songes of rybawdry


s: The furyes ferefull spronge of the flodes of hell


s: Vexith these vagabundes in theyr myndes so


s: Within theyr howsys, but out they nede must go


s: More wyldly wandrynge than outher bucke or doo


s: Some with theyr harpis another with his lute


s: Another with his bagpype or a folysshe flute


s: Yowlynge with theyr folysshe songe and cry


s: So that theyr lemman may theyr great foly here


s: And tyll the yordan make them stande arere


s: Cast on theyr hede, or tyll the stonys fle


s: They nat depart, but couet there styll to be


s: But yet more ouer these Folys ar so vnwyse


s: That in colde wynter they vse the same madnes


s: Whan all the howsys ar lade with snowe and yse


s: What pleasour take ye in this your folysshenes


s: What ioy haue ye to wander thus by nyght


s: Saue that yll doers alway hate the lyght


s: But folysshe youth doth nat alone this vse


s: But also statis them selfe therein abuse


s: With some yonge folys of the spiritualte


s: Doth eche degre call to this frantyke game


s: The darkenes of nyght expellyth fere of shame


s: One barkyth another bletyth lyke a shepe


s: Some rore, some countre, some theyr balades fayne


s: Another from syngynge gyueth hym to wepe


s: Whan his souerayne lady hath of hym dysdayne


s: Or shyttyth hym out, and to be short and playne


s: Who that of this sort best can play the knaue


s: Lokyth of the other the maystery to haue


s: The folysshe husbonde oft of this sort is one


s: With wanton youth wandrynge by nyght also


s: Fedynge the Couko, his wyfe hir tyme doth watche


s: Receyuynge another whose egges she doth hatche.


s: Therfore ye folys that knowe you of this sort


s: To gyue occasyon of synne vnto your wyues


s: For longe nyght watches seldome tymes thryues


s: Therfore kepe your dorys: els abyde within


s: In englysshe tunge: yet is it nat so vsed


s: Yet moche we vse whiche ought to be refusyd


s: Of great nyght watchynge we may nat be excusyd


s: Whan it is nyght and eche shulde drawe to rest


s: Many of our folys great payne and watchynge take


s: To proue maystryes and se who may drynke best


s: Outher at the Tauerne of wyne, or the ale stake


s: Other all nyght watchyth for theyr lemmans sake


s: Standynge in corners lyke as it were a spye


s: Whether that the weder be, hote, colde, wete, or dry


s: Prowdely Jettynge as men myndeles or wode


s: To seke occasyon with pacyent men to fyght


s: Outher els in spoylynge of other mennys gode


s: Let these folys with suche lyke and semblable


s: Drawe to this barge, here shall they here a bable


s: Ye folys that put your bodyes vnto payne


s: By nyghtly watchynge, voyde of auauntage


s: Leue of your foly or els ye shall complayne


s: For though ye thynke that this your blynde outrage


s: It doth your body and goodes great dammage


s: And great cause both to you and yours of vyce.


s: Of folysshe beggers and of theyr vanytees.


s: Mo botis and Barges for Folys to aparayle


s: But nowe doth beggers them selfe to me present


s: For fewe of them I fynde of good intent]


s: Amonge beggers, whiche haue theyr hole delyte


s: In theyr lewde craft: wherfore I set my mynde


s: In this Barge theyr maners, brefely for to write


s: For thoughe that nede them greuously do byte.


s: Yet is theyr mynde for all theyr pouerte


s: To kepe with them of children great plente


s: And though that they myght otherwyse well lyue


s: And get theyr lyuynge by labour and besynes


s: Yet fully they theyr myndes set and gyue


s: The clerke, frere, or monke, whiche hath store of ryches


s: Suche oft complayne the charge of pouerte


s: But yet haue they of ryches great plente


s: Whiche in gode vse can neuer of them be spent


s: And holy churche: for to be gyuyn in dede


s: Vnto good vse, and suche as haue moste nede


s: For men that lyue in nede and wretchydnes


s: And nat for ryche that lyues in viciousnes


s: But yet suche caytyfs boldly in dare pres


s: For their lewde lyfe without all maner drede


s: This almes takynge from them that haue most nede


s: The abbot, the Pryour, and also theyr couent


s: That with theyr owne can they nat be content


s: But to haue more, they alway mean deuyse


s: Ye: in so moche that some haue founde a gyse


s: To fayne theyr bretherne tan in captyuyte


s: They fayne myracles where none were euer done


s: And all for lucre: some other range about


s: To gather and begge with some fayned pardon


s: And at the alehows at nyght all drynkyth out


s: No place can well be fre of theyr outragys


s: Some begge for byldynges, some for relyques newe


s: Of holy sayntis of countreys farre and strange


s: And with theyr wordes faynyd and vntrewe


s: For cause of Lucre, about they ren and range


s: But in a sympyll vyllage, ferme or grange


s: Where as these beggers moste sympyll men may fynde


s: With theyr fals bonys as relykes they them blynde


s: Other beynge stronge and full of lustynes


s: And yonge ynoughe to labour for theyr fode


s: Gyuyth theyr bodyes fully to slewthfulnes


s: The beggers craft thynkynge to them moost good


s: Some ray theyr legges and armys ouer with blood


s: With leuys and plasters though they be hole and sounde


s: Some halt as crypyls, theyr legge falsely vp bounde


s: Disfygure theyr children god wot vnhappely


s: Manglynge theyr facys, and brekynge theyr bonys


s: To stere the people to pety that passe by


s: There stande they beggynge with tedyous shout and cry


s: There owne bodyes tournynge to a strange fassion


s: To moue suche as passe to pyte and compassyon


s: Myghty and stronge, and wymen in lyke wyse


s: The cause is that they labour do despyse


s: For theyr mynde is in ydylnes to be styll


s: Other mennys godes sholde them fede and fynde.


s: But if they a whyle haue ron in the wynde


s: And in theyr hande the staf some hete hath caught


s: They neuer after shall leue the beggers craft


s: As for theyr dronkennes and vnsure abydynge


s: Theyr rebaudry both in dede and communycacion


s: These ar chefe poyntis of theyr occupation


s: If the begger haue his staf and his hode


s: Than thynkes he hym in the myddes of his goode


s: Thoughe that his clothes be raggyd and to tore


s: His body nere bare he hath no thought therfore


s: And if these caytyfes fortune to begge or cry


s: If one to them that, that they aske deny


s: Whan he is gone, doth wary curse and ban


s: At the next alestake dronken shall it be


s: All folysshe beggers, and labour or intende


s: To note all theyr vyces, to sore sholde be the charge


s: And as I suppose I neuer sholde make an ende.


s: Wherfore I counsell them shortly to amende


s: Or els theyr lewdnes, synne, and enormyte


s: Shall cause men withdrawe theyr almes of charyte


s: Spendynge your youth this wyse in vanyte


s: Where ye myght come to better rowme and degre


s: By worke, and labour: and so auaunsyd be


s: Yet begge ye styll hauynge your ioy therin


s: Amende your foly, and lerne ye this of me


s: That goddes good sholde nat be spent in syn


s: "a mistake as to identity" - 'indentity' in original.


s: "written [p=] me" - 'written[p=]nce' in original.


s: With us that night--"'Cause," he-says-ee,


s: 'Cause it's so hot! An' when they're there


s: Like he'd laugh _out loud_, but he can't.


s: An' your Pa, too, wuz chums, all through,


s: Er these pore childern won't have none!"


s: He'll ketch _eight_ rabbits--mayby _nine_--


s: An _try_ to dream he's go' ketch _ten_."


s: Well, nen _tonight_," he whisper, "see?--


s: An' purt'-nigh knock the clo'eshorse down!--


s: Back where's the Chris'mus-Tree he's made


s: Comes down _all_ chimblies,--least, tonight


s: Wite clos't, while Uncle telled some more


s: "_All maked o' furs, an' trimmed as white_


s: "_Hush! Listen there! Hain't that a sleigh


s: An' sleighbells jinglin'_?" Trip go "_whooh_!"


s: Like _he_ hear bells an' _smell_ 'em, too.


s: An' says, "_Hide quick, er you're too late!--


s: An' _Bang! bang! bang!_ we heerd the door--


s: Blowed full o' snow--that's _first_ we saw,


s: An' laugh an' _squeal_ an' dance an' _yell_--


s: That _fainted_ her!--'Cause when he bent


s: Wite 'ginst the Chris'mus-Tree ist where


s: An' blaze streaked roun' his waist an' higher


s: Wite up his old white beard an' th'oat!--


s: Say, as he's rollin', "_Drat the fice't_!"


s: He hain't hurt none!" An' nen he said,--


s: "You youngsters h'ist up-stairs to bed!--


s: Here! kiss yer Ma 'Good-night,' an' me,--


s: 'Cause down-stairs, all-time somepin' keep


s: An' openin' doors, an' _shettin'_ doors--


s: An' _Wooh!_ how cold it soun' out there!


s: An' one says, "Oh, 'bout twelve o'clock!"


s: An' when we're down-stairs,--shore enough,


s: Pa's nose _is_ froze an' salve an' stuff


s: Air fire break out, an' quicker'n _scat_


s: Your voice 'ud soun' best, sayin' _Grace_--


s: Trip bark' _two_ times 'fore it's "A-men!"


s: That your heart shall echo your whole life long.


s: A bright and happy Christmas to you! Lift up yourselves to the


s: great meaning of the day, and dare to think of your humanity as


s: something so sublimely precious that it is worthy of being made


s: an offering to God, and then go out to the pleasures and duties


s: of your life, having been truly born anew into His Divinity, as


s: He was born into our humanity on Christmas Day.


s: As first we scampered to thee--now, as then,


s: On life's wide scene you, too, have parts,


s: All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies:


s: To wanton with the sun, her lusty paramour.


s: To hide her guilty front with innocent snow:


s: The saintly veil of maiden white to throw;


s: Should look so near upon her foul deformities.


s: She, crowned with olives green, came softly sliding


s: With turtle wing the amorous clouds dividing;


s: She strikes a universal peace through sea and land.


s: The idle spear and shield were high up hung,


s: The trumpet spake not to the armed throng;


s: As if they surely knew their sovran Lord was by.


s: His reign of Peace upon the earth began:


s: While birds of calm sit brooding on the charmed wave.


s: Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes


s: Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated,


s: The bird of dawning singeth all night long;


s: And then, they say, no spirit dare stir abroad,


s: The nights are wholesome, then no planets strike,


s: No fairy takes nor witch hath power to charm,


s: So hallow'd and so gracious is the time.


s: Sound it forth through the earth abroad!


s: Breathe your soft prayer to Christ, the Child!


s: Whose heads, like wind-worn trees, are bent


s: Pray Christ, the Child, to be your guide


s: God rest ye, merry gentlemen; let nothing you dismay,


s: For Jesus Christ, our Saviour, was born on Christmas-day.


s: God rest ye, little children; let nothing you affright,


s: For Jesus Christ, your Saviour, was born this happy night;


s: Along the hills of Galilee the white flocks sleeping lay,


s: When Christ, the Child of Nazareth, was born on Christmas-day.


s: God rest ye, all good Christians; upon this blessed morn


s: The Lord of all good Christians was of a woman born:


s: Now all your sorrows He doth heal, your sins He takes away;


s: Hark, the glad sound! the Saviour comes,


s: We'll twine the fresh green holly wreath,


s: What sweet spell are these elves weaving,


s: And Christmas fare and Christmas rhyme--


s: "Sic as folk tell ower at a winter ingle"


s: Copyright, 1891, by J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY.


s: Fancy, if you will, Gentle Reader, that, between the intervals of


s: Imagine this, if you will, and choose, from the pages to come,


s: A New-Year's Gift Sent to Sir Simeon Steward


s: Saint Distaff's Day, the Morrow after Twelfth Day


s: Sing songs as we sit bending o'er the hearth,


s: Till the lamp flickers and the memory fails."


s: Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes


s: Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated,


s: The bird of dawning singeth all night long;


s: And then, they say, no spirit dares stir abroad;


s: The nights are wholesome, then no planets strike,


s: No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm,


s: So hallowed and so gracious is the time.


s: This is the month, and this the happy morn,


s: Wherein the Son of Heaven's eternal King,


s: Our great redemption from above did bring;


s: That he our deadly forfeit should release,


s: And with his Father work us a perpetual peace.


s: That glorious form, that light insufferable,


s: Wherewith he wont at heaven's high council-table


s: And chose with us a darksome house of mortal clay.


s: Say, heavenly Muse, shall not thy sacred vein


s: Hast thou no verse, no hymn, or solemn strain


s: Now while the heaven, by the sun's team untrod,


s: Hath took no print of the approaching light,


s: And all the spangled host kept watch in squadron bright?


s: See, how from far, upon the eastern road,


s: The star-led wizards haste with odors sweet;


s: O run, prevent them with thy humble ode,


s: Have thou the honor first thy Lord to greet,


s: And join thy voice unto the angel-quire,


s: From out his secret altar touch'd with hallow'd fire.


s: All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies;


s: To wanton with the sun, her lusty paramour.


s: To hide her guilty front with innocent snow;


s: The saintly veil of maiden-white to throw;


s: Should look so near upon her foul deformities.


s: She, crown'd with olive green, came softly sliding


s: With turtle wing the amorous clouds dividing;


s: She strikes an universal peace through sea and land.


s: The idle spear and shield were high up-hung;


s: The trumpet spake not to the armed throng;


s: As if they surely knew their sovereign Lord was by.


s: His reign of peace upon the earth began:


s: While birds of calm sit brooding on the charmed wave.


s: Bending one way their precious influence;


s: Or Lucifer that often warn'd them thence;


s: Until their Lord himself bespake, and bid them go.


s: The sun himself withheld his wonted speed,


s: The new-enlighten'd world no more should need.


s: Than his bright throne, or burning axletree, could bear.


s: Was kindly come to live with them below;


s: Perhaps their loves, or else their sheep,


s: Was all that did their silly thoughts so busy keep.


s: As all their souls in blissful rapture took;


s: With thousand echoes still prolongs each heavenly close.


s: Of Cynthia's seat, the airy region thrilling,


s: And that her reign had here its last fulfilling;


s: Could hold all heaven and earth in happier union.


s: That with long beams the shame-faced night array'd;


s: Are seen in glittering ranks with wings display'd,


s: With unexpressive notes, to Heaven's new-born Heir.


s: But when of old the sons of morning sung,


s: And the well-balanced world on hinges hung,


s: And bid the weltering waves their oozy channel keep.


s: If ye have power to touch our senses so;


s: And let the base of Heaven's deep organ blow,


s: Make up full concert to the angelic symphony.


s: Time will run back and fetch the age of gold,


s: And leprous Sin will melt from earthly mould,


s: And leave her dolorous mansions to the peering day.


s: Orb'd in a rainbow; and, like glories wearing,


s: With radiant feet the tissued clouds down steering;


s: Will open wide the gates of her high palace-hall.


s: The wakeful trump of doom must thunder through the deep;


s: While the red fire and smouldering clouds outbreak:


s: Shall from the surface to the centre shake;


s: The dreadful Judge in middle air shall spread his throne.


s: But now begins; for, from this happy day,


s: Swinges the scaly horror of his folded tail.


s: Runs through the arched roof in words deceiving.


s: With hollow shriek the steep of Delphos leaving.


s: Inspires the pale-eyed priest from the prophetic cell.


s: A voice of weeping heard and loud lament;


s: The parting Genius is with sighing sent;


s: The Nymphs in twilight shade of tangled thickets, mourn.


s: The Lars and Lemures moan with midnight plaint;


s: Affrights the Flamens at their service quaint;


s: While each peculiar power foregoes his wonted seat.


s: With that twice-batter'd god of Palestine;


s: Now sits not girt with tapers' holy shine;


s: In vain the Tyrian maids their wounded Thammuz mourn.


s: Isis, and Orus, and the dog Anubis, haste.


s: Trampling the unshower'd grass with lowings loud:


s: Naught but profoundest hell can be his shroud;


s: The sable-stoled sorcerers bear his worshipt ark.


s: The rays of Bethlehem blind his dusky eyn;


s: Can in his swaddling-bands control the damned crew.


s: Each fetter'd ghost slips to his several grave;


s: Fly after the night-steeds, leaving their moon-loved maze.


s: Time is our tedious song should here have ending:


s: Her sleeping Lord, with handmaid lamp attending:


s: Bright-harnessed angels sit in order serviceable.


s: His breast with thoughts of boundless sway;


s: One that shall thrill the world forever!


s: Man's doom was linked, no more to sever,


s: The peaceful Prince of earth and heaven,


s: They smote with their fists on the board,


s: Here is a thing that happened. Like wild beasts whelped, for den,


s: Inhabiting one homestead, neither a hovel nor hut,


s: Time out of mind their birthright: father and son, these,--but,--


s: Softens away: yet, last of their line, the wildest and worst were


s: Criminals, then? Why, no: they did not murder and rob;


s: But give them a word, they returned a blow,--old Halbert as young


s: Harsh and fierce of word, rough and savage of deed,


s: Thus were they found by the few sparse folk of the country-side;


s: But how fared each with other? E'en beasts couch, hide by hide.


s: In a growling, grudged agreement: so father son lay curled


s: Still, beast irks beast on occasion. One Christmas night of snow,


s: For pastime turned to earnest, as up there sprang at last


s: "Out of this house you go!"--there followed a hideous oath--


s: "This oven where now we bake, too hot to hold us both!


s: Now, the old trunk was tough, was solid as stump of oak


s: One whipcord nerve in the muscly mass from neck to shoulder-blade


s: Nevertheless at once did the mammoth shut his eyes,


s: All of a piece--struck mute, much as a sentry stands,


s: Patient to take the enemy's fire: his captain so commands.


s: Whereat the son's wrath flew to fury at such sheer scorn


s: Still the old man stood mute. So, logwise,--down to floor


s: Pulled from his fireside place, dragged on from hearth to door,--


s: He faced his son submissive; when slow the accents came,


s: "Halbert, on such a night of a Christmas long ago,


s: For such a cause, with such a gesture, did I drag--so--


s: My father down thus far: but, softening here, I heard


s: A voice in my heart, and stopped: you wait for an outer word.


s: "For your own sake, not mine, soften you too! Untrod


s: Leave this last step we reach, nor brave the finger of God!


s: I dared not pass its lifting: I did well. I nor blame


s: Nor praise you. I stopped here: Halbert, do you the same!"


s: Straightway the son relaxed his hold of the father's throat.


s: They mounted, side by side, to the room again: no note


s: Took either of each, no sign made each to either: last


s: As first, in absolute silence, their Christmas-night they passed.


s: At dawn, the father sate on, dead, in the selfsame place,


s: With an outburst blackening still the old bad fighting-face:


s: But the son crouched all a-tremble like any lamb new-yeaned.


s: That a reason out of nature must turn them soft, seems clear!


s: _Translated from the Latin, by J. M. Neale._


s: "'Tis well," the black King Casper cried,


s: "The star! Behold the star," they shout;


s: Where shepherds keep their flocks by night,


s: And there the star in heaven stands still


s: But there the star in heaven stands still


s: King Melchior swings from off his horse,


s: "Now, hail!" he cries, "thou Son of God,


s: The sheets were frozen hard, and they cut the naked hand;


s: The decks were like a slide, where a seaman scarce could stand;


s: The wind was a nor'wester, blowing squally off the sea;


s: And cliffs and spouting breakers were the only things a-lee.


s: They heard the surf a-roaring before the break of day;


s: But 'twas only with the peep of light we saw how ill we lay.


s: We tumbled every hand on deck instanter, with a shout,


s: And we gave her the maintops'l, and stood by to go about.


s: All day as cold as charity, in bitter pain and dread,


s: For very life and nature, we tacked from head to head.


s: We gave the South a wider berth, for there the tide-race roared;


s: But every tack we made we brought the North Head close aboard;


s: So's we saw the cliffs and houses, and the breakers running high,


s: The frost was on the village roofs as white as ocean foam;


s: The good red fires were burning bright in every 'longshore home;


s: The windows sparkled clear, and the chimneys volleyed out;


s: And I vow we sniffed the victuals as the vessel went about.


s: The bells upon the church were rung with a mighty jovial cheer;


s: Oh, well I saw the pleasant room, the pleasant faces there,


s: My mother's silver spectacles, my father's silver hair;


s: And well I saw the firelight, like a flight of homely elves,


s: Go dancing round the china plates that stand upon the shelves.


s: And well I knew the talk they had, the talk that was of me,


s: Of the shadow on the household, and the son that went to sea;


s: And, oh, the wicked fool I seemed, in every kind of way,


s: To be here and hauling frozen ropes on blessed Christmas Day.


s: They lit the high sea-light, and the dark began to fall.


s: "All hands to loose topgallant sails!" I heard the captain call.


s: She staggered to her bearings, but the sails were new and good,


s: And the ship smelt up to windward just as though she understood.


s: As the winter's day was ending, in the entry of the night,


s: We cleared the weary headland, and passed below the light.


s: And they heaved a mighty breath, every soul on board but me,


s: As they saw her nose again pointing handsome out to sea;


s: But all that I could think of, in the darkness and the cold,


s: Was just that I was leaving home and my folks were growing old.


s: Back to the house, jes plumb chilled through.


s: And blow _and_ blow! and _snow_ and SNOW,


s: And 'crost the road,--some places, though,


s: 'Twixt snow-drifts and the bare ground, I've


s: He'd chased Lide's beau away--'cause Lide


s: Right out o' there's ef he'd be'n shot--


s: The crowd was 'round the stoves, you see,


s: He'd jes 'a' drapped there in his tracks.


s: W'y, that-air seven-mild ja'nt we come--


s: Jes seven mild scant from church to home--


s: Your company's nigh 'bout froze." He says,


s: "Whose sleigh's that-air a-standin' there?"


s: Jane's voice; then _Lide's_--I thought afore


s: And _when_ I reached her, wouldn't keered


s: 'At _she_ broke down, _herse'f_--and Jane


s: "Is old Squire Hanch in there?" says he.


s: Stooped and kissed Lide, and says, "I guess


s: 'At we'll have fer 'em. Hear some sleigh


s: Their ovens they with baked meats choke,


s: Young men and maids, and girls and boys,


s: And dogs thence with whole shoulders run,


s: And Jack shall pipe, and Jill shall dance,


s: Ned Squash has fetched his bands from pawn,


s: Hark! how the roofs with laughter sound!


s: Anon they'll think the house goes round:


s: Now kings and queens poor sheep-cotes have,


s: Come, guard this night the Christmas-pie,


s: That night might village partner choose;


s: Scrubbed till it shone, the day to grace,


s: Then the grim boar's head frowned on high,


s: 'Twas Christmas broached the mightiest ale,


s: The poor man's heart through half the year.


s: All hail to the days that merit more praise


s: And welcome the nights that double delights


s: Good fortune attend each merry-man's friend,


s: Forgetting old wrongs, with carols and songs,


s: Let Misery pack, with a whip at his back,


s: Let Sorrow's expense be banded from hence,


s: We'll spend the long nights in cheerful delights


s: If wrath be to seek, do not lend her thy cheek,


s: Cross out of thy books malevolent looks,


s: And wholly consort with mirth and with sport


s: The court in all state now opens her gate


s: The city likewise, tho' somewhat precise,


s: More liquor is spent and with better content


s: Our good gentry there for costs do not spare,


s: The farmers and such think nothing too much,


s: For a song or a tale or a cup of good ale


s: Comes dancing along with a cup and a song


s: This time of the year is spent in good cheer,


s: To sit by the fire, with friendly desire,


s: The old and the young doth carol this song


s: Do carol and sing like birds of the spring,


s: To bring in content, when summer is spent,


s: With mirth and good cheer to end the whole year,


s: The shepherd, the swain, do highly disdain


s: And Clim of the Clough hath plenty enough


s: To spend at the night, in joy and delight,


s: For better than lands is the help of his hands


s: To mask and to mum kind neighbors will come


s: To drink and carouse to all in the house


s: Where cake, bread, and cheese are brought for your fees


s: At the fire to warm 'twill do you no harm,


s: When Christmas's tide comes in like a bride


s: Twelve days in the year much mirth and good cheer


s: Whereat the young men do best that they can


s: When white-bearded frost hath threatened his worst,


s: Then time away calls from husbandry halls


s: And thus with content the time we have spent


s: While youthful revels, masques, and courtly sights


s: Though love and all his pleasures are but toys,


s: At Francis Allen's on the Christmas eve,--


s: The game of forfeits done--the girls all kissed


s: Beneath the sacred bush and past away,--


s: The parson Holmes, the poet Everard Hall,


s: The host, and I sat round the wassail-bowl,


s: Then half-way ebbed: and there we held a talk,


s: How all the old honor had from Christmas gone,


s: Or gone, or dwindled down to some odd games


s: In some odd nooks like this; till I, tired out


s: With cutting eights that day upon the pond,


s: Where, three times slipping from the outer edge,


s: I bumped the ice into three several stars,


s: Fell in a doze; and, half-awake, I heard


s: The parson taking wide and wider sweeps,


s: Now harping on the church-commissioners,


s: Until I woke, and found him settled down


s: Right through the world; "at home was little left,


s: And none abroad; there was no anchor, none,


s: To hold by." Francis, laughing, clapt his hand


s: On Everard's shoulder with, "I hold by him."


s: "And I," quoth Everard, "by the wassail-bowl."


s: "Why, yes," I said, "we knew your gift that way


s: I mean of verse (for so we held it then),


s: What came of that?" "You know," said Frank, "he burnt


s: His epic, his King Arthur, some twelve books,"--


s: He thought that nothing new was said, or else


s: Something so said 'twas nothing--that a truth


s: Looks freshest in the fashion of the day:


s: God knows, he has a mint of reasons: ask.


s: It pleased _me_ well enough." "Nay, nay," said Hall,


s: "Why take the style of those heroic times?


s: For nature brings not back the mastodon,


s: Nor we those times; and why should any man


s: Remodel models? These twelve books of mine


s: Were faint Homeric echoes, nothing-worth,


s: Mere chaff and draff, much better burnt." "But I,"


s: Said Francis, "picked the eleventh from this hearth,


s: And have it: keep a thing, its use will come.


s: He laughed, and I, though sleepy, like a horse


s: That hears the corn-bin open, pricked my ears;


s: When we were freshmen: then, at my request,


s: He brought it; and the poet, little urged,


s: But, with some prelude of disparagement,


s: Read, mouthing out his hollow oes and aes,


s: So all day long the noise of battle rolled


s: Had fallen in Lyonesse about their Lord,


s: King Arthur: then, because his wound was deep,


s: Sir Bedivere, the last of all his knights,


s: And bore him to a chapel nigh the field,


s: That stood on a dark strait of barren land.


s: Lay a great water, and the moon was full.


s: The goodliest fellowship of famous knights


s: Whereof this world holds record. Such a sleep


s: They sleep--the men I loved. I think that we


s: Delight our souls with talk of knightly deeds,


s: Tho' Merlin sware that I should come again


s: To rule once more,--but let what will be, be,


s: That without help I cannot last till morn.


s: Thou, therefore, take my brand, Excalibur,


s: Which was my pride: for thou rememberest how


s: In those old days, one summer noon, an arm


s: Clothed in white samite, mystic, wonderful,


s: Holding the sword--and how I rowed across


s: And took it, and have worn it, like a king:


s: In after time, this also shall be known:


s: Watch what thou seest, and lightly bring me word."


s: "It is not meet, Sir King, to leave thee thus,


s: Aidless, alone, and smitten through the helm.


s: Yet I thy hest will all perform at full,


s: Watch what I see, and lightly bring thee word."


s: So saying, from the ruined shrine he stept


s: And in the moon athwart the place of tombs,


s: Where lay the mighty bones of ancient men,


s: Old knights, and over them the sea-wind sang


s: Shrill, chill, with flakes of foam. He, stepping down


s: By zigzag paths and juts of pointed rock,


s: There drew he forth the brand Excalibur,


s: And o'er him, drawing it, the winter moon


s: Brightening the skirts of a long cloud, ran forth


s: And sparkled keen with frost against the hilt:


s: For all the haft twinkled with diamond sparks,


s: Myriads of topaz-lights and jacinth-work


s: That both his eyes were dazzled, as he stood,


s: This way and that dividing the swift mind,


s: In act to throw: but at the last it seemed


s: That whistled stiff and dry about the marge.


s: So strode he back slow to the wounded King.


s: "Hast thou performed my mission which I gave?


s: What is it thou hast seen? or what hast heard?"


s: "I heard the ripple washing in the reeds,


s: And the wild water lapping on the crag."


s: To whom replied King Arthur, faint and pale:


s: "Thou hast betrayed thy nature and thy name,


s: For surer sign had followed, either hand,


s: This is a shameful thing for men to lie.


s: Yet now, I charge thee, quickly go again


s: As thou art lief and dear, and do the thing


s: I bad thee, watch, and lightly bring me word."


s: Across the ridge and paced beside the mere,


s: Counting the dewy pebbles, fixed in thought;


s: How curiously and strangely chased, he smote


s: Surely a precious thing, one worthy note,


s: Should thus be lost forever from the earth,


s: Which might have pleased the eyes of many men.


s: What good should follow this, if this were done?


s: What harm, undone? deep harm to disobey,


s: Were it well to obey then, if a king demand


s: So spake he, clouded with his own conceit,


s: And so strode back slow to the wounded King.


s: Then spoke King Arthur, breathing heavily:


s: "What is it thou hast seen? or what hast heard?"


s: And the long ripple washing in the reeds."


s: To whom replied King Arthur much in wrath:


s: That bowed the will. I see thee what thou art;


s: For thou, the latest left of all my knights,


s: Thou wouldst betray me for the precious hilt;


s: Either from lust of gold, or like a girl


s: And the third time may prosper, get thee hence;


s: I will arise and slay thee with my hands."


s: And, leaping down the ridges lightly, plunged


s: Among the bulrush-beds, and clutched the sword


s: And strongly wheeled and threw it. The great brand


s: Made lightnings in the splendor of the moon,


s: And flashing round and round, and whirled in an arch,


s: Shot like a streamer of the northern morn,


s: Seen where the moving isles of winter shock


s: By night, with noises of the northern sea,


s: So flashed and fell the brand Excalibur:


s: But ere he dipt the surface, rose an arm


s: Clothed in white samite, mystic, wonderful,


s: And caught him by the hilt and brandished him


s: Three times, and drew him under in the mere.


s: Here ended Hall, and our last light, that long


s: Had winked, and threatened darkness, flared and fell:


s: At which the Parson, sent to sleep with sound,


s: And waked with silence, grunted "Good!" but we


s: Sat rapt: it was the tone with which he read--


s: Perhaps some modern touches here and there


s: Redeemed it from the charge of nothingness--


s: Or else we loved the man, and prized his work;


s: The cock crew loud; as at that time of year


s: The lusty bird takes every hour for dawn:


s: Then Francis, muttering, like a man ill-used,


s: "There now--that's nothing!" drew a little back,


s: And drove his heel into the smouldered log,


s: That sent a blast of sparkles up the flue:


s: And so to bed; where yet in sleep I seemed


s: To sail with Arthur under looming shores,


s: Point after point; till on to dawn, when dreams


s: Begin to feel the truth and stir of day,


s: To me, methought, who waited with a crowd,


s: Then came a bark that, blowing forward, bore


s: Of stateliest port; and all the people cried,


s: Then those that stood upon the hills behind


s: Repeated "Come again, and thrice as fair;"


s: And, further inland, voices echoed, "Come


s: With all good things, and war shall be no more."


s: That with the sound I woke, and heard indeed


s: The clear church-bells ring in the Christmas morn.


s: Thy wakes, thy quintals, here thou hast,


s: Thy May-poles, too, with garlands graced,


s: And younglings with such sports as these,


s: And, lying down, have naught t' affright


s: Sweet sleep, that makes more short the night.


s: For all) her own great, good Too-Much,--


s: Break through the heaven with harp and hymn.


s: And pipe their part from branches hoary;


s: A pleasance to greet the Christmas bell!


s: Puff forth the sweets o' Christmas fare.


s: Of myrtle red-berried, and mistletoe green!


s: Come hither, and buffet the goodmen well,


s: Your voices sing through the Christmas-tide,


s: At the minster-eaves with the organ groans:


s: In a gay embrace mid the drifting sleet.


s: Drink hael! good folk, by the chimney side,


s: Drink hael! Drink hael! and pledge again:


s: "Here's peace on earth, good-will to men!"


s: When on the barn's thatch'd roof is seen


s: While from his hat, all white with snow,


s: We sit in a ring round the warm wood-fire,


s: And we try to look grave, (as maids should be,)


s: When the men bring in boughs of the Laurel-tree.


s: _The poets have laurels, and why not we?_


s: To see them come in to the blazing fire,


s: Whilst many bring in, with a laugh or rhyme,


s: Green branches of Holly for Christmas time!


s: _It tells (like a tongue) that the times are jolly!_


s: But, at times, the evergreen laurel boughs


s: And then! what then? why, the men laugh low


s: _O brave is the Laurel! and brave is the Holly!_


s: _But the Mistletoe banisheth melancholy!_


s: _Ah, nobody knows, nor ever shall know,_


s: Three weeks before the day whereon was born the Lord of grace,


s: And on the Thursday, boys and girls do run in every place,


s: And bounce and beat at every door, with blows and lusty snaps,


s: And cry the advent of the Lord, not born as yet, perhaps:


s: And wishing to the neighbors all, that in the houses dwell,


s: A happy year, and everything to spring and prosper well:


s: Wherein they are afraid of sprites and cankered witches' spite,


s: Such names as they do fancy most and best do think upon.


s: Thus near the chimney then they set, and that same onion than


s: When as the sun hath hid himself, and left the starry skies,


s: Unto some woodstack do they go, and while they there do stand,


s: Which if it straight and even be, and have no knots at all,


s: A gentle husband then they think shall surely to them fall;


s: But, if it foul and crooked be, and knotty here and there,


s: A crabbed, churlish husband then they earnestly do fear.


s: Then comes the day wherein the Lord did bring his birth to pass,


s: Whereas at midnight up they rise, and every man to Mass.


s: This time so holy counted is, that divers earnestly


s: Do think the waters all to wine are changèd suddenly


s: In that same hour that Christ himself was born and came to light,


s: There are beside that mindfully the money still do watch


s: That first to altar comes, which then they privily do snatch.


s: The priests, lest other should it have, take oft the same away,


s: Whereby they think throughout the year to have good luck in play,


s: This done, a wooden child in clouts is on the altar set,


s: About the which both boys and girls do dance and trimly get,


s: And carols sing in praise of Christ, and for to help them here,


s: The organs answer every verse with sweet and solemn cheer.


s: The priests do roar aloud, and round about the parents stand,


s: The crying noise of Jupiter, new born, with song to hide,


s: To dance about him round, and on their brazen pans to beat,


s: Lest that his father, finding him, should him destroy and eat.


s: Then followeth Saint Stephen's Day, whereon doth every man


s: His horses jaunt and course abroad, as swiftly as he can.


s: Until they do extremely sweat, and then they let them blood,


s: For this being done upon this day, they say doth do them good,


s: And keeps them from all maladies and sickness through the year,


s: As if that Stephen any time took charge of horses here.


s: Next, John, the son of Zebedee, hath his appointed day,


s: Who once, by cruel tyrant's will, constrained was, they say,


s: Strong poison up to drink, therefore the Papists do believe


s: That whoso puts their trust in him, no poison them can grieve.


s: The wine beside that hallowed is, in worship of his name,


s: The priests do give the people that bring money for the same.


s: And after with the selfsame wine are little manchets[F] made,


s: Against the boisterous winter storms, and sundry such like trade.


s: To make them strong, so do the maids to make them fair and fine.


s: Then comes the day that calls to mind the cruel Herod's strife,


s: Who seeking Christ to kill, the King of everlasting life,


s: Destroyèd all the infants young, a beast unmerciless,


s: And put to death all such as were of two years age or less.


s: To them the sinful wretches cry and earnestly do pray


s: To get them pardon for their faults, and wipe their sins away.


s: The parents, when this day appears, do beat their children all


s: Though nothing they deserve, and servants all to beating fall,


s: And monks do whip each other well, or else their Prior great,


s: Or Abbot mad, doth take in hand their breeches all to beat


s: In worship of these Innocents, or rather, as we see,


s: In honor of the curséd king that did this cruelty.


s: The next to this is New-Year's Day, whereon to every friend


s: They costly presents in do bring and New-Year's gifts do send.


s: These gifts the husband gives his wife, and father eke the child,


s: And good beginning of the year they wish and wish again,


s: According to the ancient guise of heathen people vain.


s: These eight days no man doth require his debts of any man,


s: Their tables do they furnish out with all the meat they can:


s: As if they should at the entrance of this New Year have to die,


s: Yet would they have their bellies full and ancient friends ally.


s: The Wise Men's day here followeth, who out from Persia far,


s: Brought gifts and presents unto Christ, conducted by a star.


s: The Papists do believe that these were kings, and so them call,


s: And do affirm that of the same there were but three in all.


s: Here sundry friends together come, and meet in company,


s: And make a king amongst themselves by voice or destiny;


s: Who, after princely guise, appoints his officers alway,


s: Then unto feasting do they go, and long time after play:


s: Upon their boards, in order thick, their dainty dishes stand,


s: Till that their purses empty be and creditors at hand.


s: Their children herein follow them, and choosing princes here,


s: With pomp and great solemnity, they meet and make good cheer


s: With money either got by stealth, or of their parents eft,


s: That so they may be trained to know both riot here and theft.


s: Then, also, every householder, to his ability,


s: Doth make a mighty cake that may suffice his company:


s: Herein a penny doth he put, before it comes to fire,


s: This he divides according as his household doth require;


s: And every piece distributeth, as round about they stand,


s: Which in their names unto the poor is given out of hand.


s: But whoso chanceth on the piece wherein the money lies


s: Is counted king amongst them all, and is with shouts and cries


s: Exalted to the heavens up, who, taking chalk in hand,


s: Doth make a cross on every beam and rafters as they stand:


s: Great force and power have these against all injuries and harms,


s: Of cursed devils, sprites and bugs, of conjurings and charms,


s: So much this king can do, so much the crosses bring to pass,


s: Made by some servant, maid or child, or by some foolish ass!


s: And on the table sets a loaf, when night approacheth near,


s: Before the coals and frankincense to be perfumed there:


s: When every one receivéd hath this odor great and small,


s: Then one takes up the pan with coals, and frankincense and all.


s: Another takes the loaf, whom all the rest do follow here,


s: And round about the house they go, with torch or taper clear,


s: There are that three nights only do perform this foolish gear,


s: To this intent, and think themselves in safety all the year.


s: To Christ dare none commit himself. And in these days beside


s: They judge what weather all the year shall happen and betide:


s: Ascribing to each day a month, and at this present time


s: The youth in every place do flock, and all apparelled fine,


s: With pipers through the streets they run, and sing at every door


s: In commendation of the man, rewarded well therefore,


s: Which on themselves they do bestow, or on the church as though


s: The people were not plagued with rogues and begging friars enow.


s: There cities are where boys and girls together still do run


s: About the streets with like as soon as night begins to come,


s: And bring abroad their wassail-bowls, who well rewarded be


s: Nor any quick warming-pan help him to bed;


s: If the 'Chequer be empty, so will be his head.


s: To read by the stars the kingdom's sick;


s: Husbands and wives by streaks to choose;


s: Of these and such like things, for shift,


s: Quite through the young maids and the men


s: Sit crowned with rose-buds, and carouse,


s: The year, your cares, that's fled and gone.


s: And thus, throughout, with Christmas plays


s: Men, women, youths, maids, girls, and boys.


s: Plum-porridge, roast-beef, and minced-pies,


s: But this good draught which I have drunk


s: God bless them, that each Christmas they


s: Where bean's the king of the sport here;


s: A health to the king and the queen here!


s: Thus times do shift, each thing his turn does hold;


s: New things succeed as former things grow old.


s: Wherewith ye dressed the Christmas hall,


s: "His place of birth a solemn angel tells


s: To simple shepherds keeping watch by night."


s: And all abowte there fold a star shone bright;


s: So mereli the sheppardes their pipes can blow.


s: With mirthe, and joy, and great solemnitye,


s: _Tyrle, Tyrle, so Merrily the Shepherds began to Blow._


s: Adown from heaven they saw come a light,


s: To every man that to the faith would 'long,


s: And there they found that glorious stream,


s: Was to three poor Shepherds in the fields as they lay;


s: In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,


s: In a cold winter's night that was so deep.


s: And to follow the Star wherever it went.


s: That hath made heaven and earth of naught,


s: "Dread ye naught," said the Angel bright,


s: You gentle flocks, whose fleeces, pearled with dew,


s: Resemble heaven, whom golden drops make bright,


s: Our pipes make sport to shorten weary night;


s: Tunes can we hear, but not the singers see,


s: The tunes divine, and so the singers be.


s: Yet from their beams proceedeth not this light,


s: Nor can their crystals such reflection give.


s: What then doth make the element so bright?


s: The heavens are come down upon earth to live.


s: For lo, the world's great Shepherd now is born


s: A blessed babe, an infant full of power:


s: Clouded in flesh, yet, shepherds, sit we here?


s: Sweet, harmless livers! on whose holy leisure


s: Whose leaders to those pastures and clear springs


s: How happened it that in the dead of night


s: Was it because those first and blesséd swains


s: When they received the promise, for which now


s: 'Tis true he loves that dust whereon they go


s: But wretched Salem, once his love, must now


s: Her stately piles with all their height and pride


s: And Bethl'em's humble cots above them stept


s: Her cedar fir, hewed stones, and gold were all


s: This made the angel call at reeds and thatch,


s: And God's own lodging, though he could not lack,


s: Each stirring wind and storm blew through their cots,


s: Perhaps some harmless cares for the next day


s: As where to lead their sheep, what silent nook,


s: But that was all; and now with gladsome care


s: They leave their flock, and in a busy talk


s: To seek their soul's great Shepherd who was come


s: Where now they find him out, and, taught before,


s: That Lamb, whose days great kings and prophets wished


s: The first light they beheld was bright and gay,


s: But to this later light they saw in him,


s: O than the fairest day, thrice fairer night!


s: Night to blest days in which a sun doth rise


s: Of which that golden age which clears the skies


s: And blessed ye, in silly pastors' sight,


s: Mild creatures, in whose warm crib now lies


s: That heaven-sent youngling, holy-maid-born wight:


s: Midst, end, beginning of our prophecies!


s: Blest cottage that hath flowers in winter spread,


s: Though withered--blessed grass that hath the grace


s: Thus sang, unto the sounds, of oaten reed,


s: Before the Babe, the shepherds bowed on knees;


s: And springs ran nectar, honey dropped from trees.


s: Run, shepherds, run where Bethlehem blest appears.


s: We bring the best of news; be not dismayed;


s: A Saviour there is born more old than years,


s: Amidst heaven's rolling height this earth who stayed.


s: A weakling did him bear, who all upbears;


s: There is he poorly swaddled, in manger laid,


s: To whom too narrow swaddlings are our spheres:


s: Run, shepherds, run, and solemnize his birth.


s: This is that night--no, day, grown great with bliss,


s: In Heaven be glory, peace unto the earth!


s: Thus singing, through the air the angels swam,


s: For to the Babe that at her bosom clung,


s: Blest angels heralded the Saviour's birth,


s: Glory to God on high! and peace on earth!


s: Joy rose within her like a summer's morn;


s: Peace, peace on earth! the Prince of peace is born.


s: That strife should vanish, battle cease,


s: Sweet music's loudest note, the poet's story,--


s: Didst thou ne'er love to hear of fame and glory?


s: Their friend, their playmate! and his bold bright eye


s: Compels the maiden's love-confessing sigh.


s: War is a ruffian all with guilt defiled,


s: That from the aged father tears his child.


s: Plunders God's world of beauty; rends away


s: All safety from the night, all comfort from the day.


s: That strife should vanish, battle cease;


s: Peace, peace on earth! the Prince of peace is born!"


s: With a triumphant wreath of blessedness?


s: How good! how great! even as our misery.


s: Where he meant frost he scattered flowers.


s: Proud world (said I), cease your contest,


s: Your fleece is white, but 'tis too cold.


s: For well they now can spare their wings,


s: See, see, how soon his new-bloom'd cheek


s: Twixt's mother's breasts is gone to bed:


s: Great little One! whose all-embracing birth


s: Lifts earth to heaven, stoops heaven to earth.


s: That breathes at once both Maid and Mother,


s: Warms in the one and cools in the other.


s: Whose wealth's their flock, whose wit to be


s: We'll bring the first-born of her flowers


s: To thee, dread Lamb, whose love must keep


s: The shepherds more than they their sheep.


s: Till burnt at last in fire of thy fair eyes


s: Ourselves become our own best sacrifice.


s: On Earth's large round, and that one hill to say:


s: "I was his bearing-place!" On Earth's wide breast


s: So many maids! and she--of all most blest--


s: Hill, with the olives, and the little town!


s: If rivers from their crystal founts flow down,


s: If 'twas the dawn which did day's gold unbar,


s: The most we see, the highest that we know,


s: The lifting heavenward of man's life below.


s: Therefore, though better lips ye shall not lack,


s: Suffer if one of modern mood steals back--


s: Of barren thought; from Hope's Dead Sea, which glowed


s: With Love's fair mirage; from the poet's haunt,


s: The scholar's lamp, the statesman's scheme, the vaunt,


s: The failure, of all fond philosophies,--


s: Back unto Thee, back to thy olive-trees,


s: Bearing us Him who made our christendom,


s: And came to save the earth, from heav'n, His home.


s: So many hill-sides, crowned with rugged rocks!


s: In many moonlit fields! but, only they--


s: On that one winter's night, at Bethlehem,


s: To have white angels singing lauds for them!


s: They only--hinds wrapped in the he-goat's skin--


s: To hear heaven's music, bidding peace begin!


s: Only for those, of countless watching eyes,


s: The skies to blaze with gold and silver light


s: Of seraphs by strong joy flashed into sight;


s: The wind, for them, with that strange song to swell,--


s: Then at their dawn--not daylight yet, ah me!


s: "Peace upon earth! Good-will!" sung to the strings


s: Of lutes celestial. Nay, if these things


s: Too blessëd to believe have seemed, or seem,


s: Not ours the fault, dear angels! Prove the dream


s: Waking and true! sing once again, and make


s: Moonlight and starlight sweet for earth's sad sake!


s: Or, if heaven bids ye lock in silence still


s: Conquest of peace, and coming of good-will,


s: Till times to be, then--oh, you placid sheep!


s: Ah, thrice-blest shepherds! suffer if we creep


s: Back through the tangled thicket of the years


s: To graze in your fair flock, to strain our ears


s: With listening herdsmen, if, perchance, one note


s: Of such high singing in the fine air float;


s: If any rock thrills yet with that great strain


s: We did not hear, and shall not hear, again;


s: Lisps still one syllable vouchsafed to them;


s: If some stream, conscious still--some breeze--be stirred


s: With echo of th' immortal words ye heard.


s: What was it that ye heard? the wind of night


s: Playing in cheating tones, with touches light,


s: Amid the palm-plumes? or, one stop outblown


s: Earthwards, that to those innocent ears 'twas brought


s: Which bent the mighty measure to their thought?


s: Or, haply, from breast-shaped Beth-Haccarem,


s: The hill of Herod, some waft sent to them


s: Of storming drums and trumps, at festival


s: Meeting anew, with much "good will" indeed,


s: Blown by some swain upon his Jordan reed?


s: Nay, nay! your abbas back ye did not fling,


s: From each astonished ear, for swains to sing


s: Their village-verses clear; for sounds well-known


s: Of wandering breeze, or whispering trees, or tone


s: Of Herod's trumpets. And ye did not gaze


s: Heart-startled on the stars (albeit the rays


s: Of that lone orb shot, sparkling, from the east


s: Unseen before), for these, largest and least,


s: Were fold-lamps, lighted nightly: and ye knew


s: Far differing glory in the night's dark blue


s: Suddenly lit with rose, and pierced with spike


s: Of golden spear-beam. Oh, a dream, belike!


s: Some far-fetched vision, new to peasant's sleep,


s: Of paradise stripped bare!--But, why thus keep


s: Secrets for them? This bar, which doth enclose


s: Better and nobler souls, why burst for those


s: Who supped on the parched pulse, and lapped the stream,


s: And each, at the same hour, dreams the same dream!


s: Or, easier still, they lied! Yet, wherefore, then


s: "Rise, and go up to Bethlehem," and unpen


s: To wolf and jackal all their hapless fold


s: So they might "see these things which had been told


s: In heaven's own voice"? And heaven, whate'er betide,


s: Spreads surely somewhere, on death's farther side!


s: And, truly, if joy's music once hath rung


s: (Be they the dead, or of the deathless many)--


s: Love and serve man, angelical befrienders,


s: Glad of his weal, and from his woe defenders,--


s: If such, in heaven, have pity on our tears,


s: Forever falling with the unmending years,


s: High cause had they, at Bethlehem, that night,


s: To lift the curtain of hope's hidden light,


s: To break decree of silence with love's cry,


s: Should--past dispute, since now achieved is this--


s: Bring earth great gifts of blessing and of bliss;


s: Date, from that crib, the dynasty of love;


s: Strip his misusëd thunderbolts from Jove;


s: Bend to their knee Rome's Cæsars, break the chain


s: From the slave's neck; set sick hearts free again


s: Bitterly bound by priests, and scribes, and scrolls;


s: And heal, with balm of pardon, sinking souls:


s: Should mercy to her vacant throne restore,


s: Teach right to kings, and patience to the poor;


s: Should, from that bearing-cave, outside the khan,


s: Light of all lands, and splendor of each sea,


s: The sun-burst of a new morn come to earth,


s: Not yet, alas! broad day, but day's white birth


s: Which promiseth; and blesseth, promising.


s: These from that night! What cause of wondering


s: Brake into music? if, for hopes like these


s: Angels, who love us, sang that song, and show


s: Of time's far purpose made the "great light" glow?


s: His cup of faith; and think that, verily,


s: Than those poor shepherds told, there did arise


s: This portent. Being amidst their sheep and goats,


s: Lapped careless in their pasture-keeping coats,


s: Blind as their drowsy beasts to what drew nigh,


s: (Such the lulled ear, and such th' unbusied eye


s: Which ofttimes hears and sees hid things!) there spread


s: The "Glory of the Lord" around each head:


s: Broke, be it deemed, o'er hill and over hollow,


s: On the inner seeing, the sense concealed, unknown,


s: Of those plain hinds--glad, humble, and alone--


s: Flooding their minds, filling their hearts; around,


s: Above, below, disclosing grove and ground,


s: The rocks, the hill, the town, the solitude,


s: The wondering flocks,--agaze with grass half-chewed,--


s: The palm-crowns, and the path to Bethlehem,


s: As sight angelic spies. And, came to them


s: Known for the angel by his presence pure


s: Whereon was written love, and peace, and grace,


s: With beauty passing mortal mien and face.


s: Re-entering those gates of space,--whose key


s: Love keeps on that side, and on this side death--


s: Each shepherd to the other whispering saith,


s: Lest he should miss some lingering symphonies


s: This which is come to pass, shewed graciously


s: By the Lord's angels." Therewith hasted they


s: By olive-yards, and old walls mossed and gray


s: Thinking the sunlight come, stirred, half-awake:


s: Across the terraced levels of the vines,


s: Under the pillared palms, along the lines


s: Of lance-leaved oleanders, scented sweet,


s: Through the pomegranate-gardens sped their feet;


s: Over the causeway, up the slope, they spring,


s: Breast the steep path, with steps not slackening;


s: Past David's well, past the town-wall they ran,


s: Where mark them peering in, the posts between,


s: Questioning--all out of breath--if birth hath been


s: This night, in any guest-room, high or low?


s: The drowsy porter at the gate saith, "No!"--


s: Shooting the bars; while the packed camels shake


s: Their bells to listen, and the sleepers wake,


s: And to their feet the ponderous steers slow rise,


s: Lifting from trampled fodder large mild eyes;--


s: "Nay! Brothers! no such thing! yet there is gone


s: Yonder, one nigh her time, a gentle one!


s: With him that seemed her spouse--of Galilee;


s: They toiled at sundown to our doors--but, see!


s: No nook was here! Seek at the cave instead;


s: We shook some barley-straw to make their bed."


s: Then to the cave they wended, and there spied


s: That which was more, if truth be testified,


s: Than all the pomp seen thro' proud Herod's porch


s: Ablaze with brass, and silk, and scented torch,


s: If men had known, than all the glory told


s: On the white Isle; or audience-hall at Rome


s: With trembling princes thronged. A clay lamp swings


s: By twisted camel-cords, from blackened rings,


s: Shewing with flickering gleams, a Child new-born


s: Wrapped in a cloth, laid where the beasts at morn


s: Will champ their bean-straw: in the lamp-ray dim


s: A fresh-made Mother by Him, fostering Him


s: With face and mien to worship, speaking naught;


s: Close at hand Joseph, and the ass, hath brought


s: That precious twofold burden to the gate;


s: With goats, sheep, oxen, driven to shelter late:


s: No mightier sight! Yet all sufficeth it--


s: If we will deem things be beyond our wit--


s: To prove heaven's music true, and show heaven's way,


s: How, not by famous kings, nor with array


s: Of brazen letters on the boastful stone,


s: But "by the mouth of babes," quiet, alone,


s: Little beginnings planning for large ends,


s: With other purpose than fond man attends,


s: Guide our world's wandering with a finger-tip;


s: And how, that night, as these did darkly see,


s: They sealed the first scrolls of earth's history,


s: And opened what shall run till death be dead.


s: Which babe they reverenced, bending low the head,


s: First of all worshippers; and told the things


s: Done in the plain, and played on angel's strings.


s: Then those around wondered and worshipped, too,


s: Hiding this in her heart, the heart which beat


s: With blood of Jesus Christ, holy and sweet.


s: Also, not marvelling, albeit they heard,


s: Stood certain by--those three swart ones--appeared


s: From climes unknown; yet, surely, on high quest


s: Of what that star proclaimed, bright on the breast


s: First of the Ram, afterwards glittering thence


s: It lit the Crab, and burned the Fishes pale.


s: Three Signiors, owning many a costly bale;


s: Three travelled masters, by their bearing lords


s: Of lands and slaves. The Indian silk affords,


s: With many a folded braid of white and gold,


s: Shade to their brows; rich goat-hair shawls did fold


s: Their gowns of flow'r'd white muslin, midway tied;


s: And ruby, turkis, emerald--stones of pride--


s: Blazed on their thumb-rings; and a pearl gleamed white


s: In every ear; and silver belts, clasped tight,


s: Held ink-box, reeds, and knives, in scabbards gemmed;


s: Curled shoes of goat-skin dyed, with seed-pearls hemmed,


s: Shod their brown feet; hair shorn; lids low, to think--


s: Eyes deep and wistful, as of those who drink


s: And live twain lives, conforming as they may,


s: To ways of men; yet, not at one with these;


s: But ever straining past the things that seem


s: To that which is--the truth behind the dream.


s: Three princely wanderers of the Asian blood


s: Perchance, by Indus dwellers; or some flood,


s: Or, haply, to those Syrian palm-trees come


s: From Gunga's banks, or mounts of Malabar


s: Which lift the Deccan to its sun, and far--


s: Rampart-like--fringe the blue Arabian Sea.


s: True followers of the Buddh they seemed to be,


s: The better arm and shoulder showing bare


s: With each; and on the neck of each, draped fair


s: A scarf of saffron, patched; and, 'twixt the eyes,


s: In saffron stamped, the Name of mysteries


s: How man may 'scape the dire deceits of life.


s: These three stood by, as who would entrance make;


s: And heard the shepherd's tale; and, hearing, spake


s: Strange Indian words one to another; then sent


s: Cast loose from off the camels, kneeling nigh,


s: Nettings and mats, and made the fastenings fly


s: From belly-band, and crupper-rope, and tail;


s: And broke the knots, and let each dusty bale


s: Slide from the saddle-horns, and give to see


s: And fragrant secrets of the Indian grove,


s: And splendors of the Indian looms, inwove


s: With gold and silver flowers: "for, now," said they,


s: "Our eyes have seen this thing sought day by day;


s: By the all-conscious, silent sky well-known,


s: And, specially, of yon white star fore-shown


s: Beckoned us from our homes, shining aright,


s: Mark if it sparkles not, aware and still,


s: Spake truth: Our feet were guided faithfully.


s: 'Tis the Star-Child, who was to rise, and wear


s: A crown than Suleiman's more royal and rare,


s: That these first to Jerusalem had passed,


s: And sojourned there, observing feast and fast


s: In the thronged city; oft of townsmen seen


s: In market and bazaar; and, by their mien


s: Noted for lordliest of all strangers there,


s: Much whispered of, in sooth, as who saw clear


s: Shadows of times to come, and secrets bright


s: Mid plots and perils; girt with singing boys,


s: And dancing girls of Tyre, and armored noise


s: Questioned he of their knowledge, and the star,


s: What message flashed it? Whether near or far


s: Would rise this portent of a Babe to reign


s: To weeping Zion, and cast forth from them


s: As, with one voice, priests, elders, scribes aver,


s: Then, let them thither wend, and spy the stir,


s: And find this Babe, and come anew to him,


s: Declaring where the wonder. "'Twas his whim"


s: Quotha "to be of fashion with the stars,


s: To shine upon this suckling, bending knee


s: Thence came it those three stood at entering


s: Before the door; and their rich gifts did bring,


s: Red gold from the Indian rocks, cunningly beat


s: To plate and chalice, with old fables sweet


s: Of Buddh's compassion, and dark Mara's powers


s: Round the brims glittering; and a riot of flowers


s: Done on the gold, with gold script to proclaim


s: The Noble Truths, and Threefold mystic Name


s: Blessed Nirvana's rest, being quit of sins,


s: And, day and night, reciting, "Oh, the Gem!


s: Also, more precious than much gold, they poured


s: Rare spices forth, unknitting cord on cord;


s: And, one by one, unwinding cloths, as though


s: The merchantmen had sought to shut in so


s: The breath of those distillings: in such kind


s: As when Nile's black embalming slaves would bind


s: Sindon o'er sindon, cere-cloth, cinglets, bands


s: Roll after roll, on head, breast, feet, and hands,


s: Round some dead king, whose cold and withered palm


s: Had dropped the sceptre; drenched with musk and balm,


s: And natron, and what keeps from perishing;


s: So they might save--after long wandering--


s: Life's likeness, till the dead man lived at last.


s: Thus, from their coats involved of leaves and silk,


s: Slowly they freed the odorous thorn-tree's milk,


s: The gray myrrh, and the cassia, and the spice,


s: Filling the wind with frankincense past price,


s: With hearts of blossoms from a hundred glens


s: Till the night's gloom like a royal curtain hung


s: Athwart the arch; and, in the cavern there


s: Of a queen's chamber, when she comes to bed,


s: And all that glad earth owns gives goodlihead.


s: Witness them entering,--these three from afar--


s: Who knew the skies, and had the strange white star


s: To light their nightly lamp, thro' deserts wide


s: Of Bactria, and the Persic wastes, and tide


s: Of Ararat, and where the sand-winds blow


s: Of Moab, and the fierce, bright, barren reeks


s: From Asphaltities; to this hill--to thee


s: Gaze, hand in hand, with faces grave and mild,


s: Where, 'mid the gear and goats, Mother and Child


s: Make state and splendor for their eyes. Then lay


s: Each stranger on the earth, in the Indian way,


s: Paying the "eight prostrations;" and was heard


s: Saying softly, in the Indian tongue, that word


s: Wherewith a Prince is honored. Humbly ran,


s: And fetch the gold, and--laid on gold--the spice,


s: Frankincense, myrrh: and next, with reverence nice,


s: Foreheads in dust, they spread the precious things


s: At Mary's feet, and worship Him who clings


s: Who shall be life and light to all below.


s: "For, now we see," say they, departing: "plain


s: The star's word comes to pass! The Buddh again


s: Arising for the west, who shall set right,


s: And serve and reconcile; and, maybe, teach


s: Knowledge to those who know. We, brothers, each,


s: Have heard yon shepherds babbling: if the sky


s: Speaketh with such, heaven's mercy is drawn nigh!


s: Well did we counsel, journeying to this place!


s: Yon hour-old Babe, milking that breast of grace,


s: The world will praise and worship, well-content."


s: Then, fearing Herod, to their homes they went


s: Angered and troubled, bade his soldiers slay


s: Lord! had'st Thou been all God, as pleaseth them


s: Who poorly see Thy godlike self, and take


s: True glory from Thee for false glory's sake:


s: Co-equal power, as these--too bold--blaspheme,


s: Not Babe Divine, feeling with touch of silk


s: With sweet mouth buried in the warm feast thus,


s: And dear heart growing great to beat for us,


s: And soft feet waiting till the way was spread


s: Whereby what was true God in Thee should tread


s: Triumphant over woe and death to bliss,--


s: Thou, from Thy cradle would'st have stayed in this


s: Those butchers! With one angel's swift decree,


s: Out of the silver cohorts lackeying Thee,


s: Thou had'st thrust down the bitter prince who killed


s: Thine innocents! Would'st Thou not? Was't not willed?


s: Found first fruits! Rama heard that woful cry


s: Of Rachel weeping for the children; lone,


s: Uncomforted, because her babes are gone.


s: Herod the King! hast thou heard Rachel's wail


s: Somewhere? at last? past life? after long stress


s: If such grace be, no hopeless sin is wrought;


s: Thy bloody blade missed what its vile edge sought;


s: Mother, and Child, and Joseph--safe from thee--


s: Wind homewards, lightened of their spice and gold;


s: And those great days, that were to be, unfold


s: In the fair fields beside the shining sea


s: Which rolls, 'mid palms and rocks, in Galilee.


s: Their thirty pound butter'd eggs, their pies of carps' tongues;


s: All you that to feasting and mirth are inclined,


s: Come, here is good news for to pleasure your mind;


s: Old Christmas is come for to keep open house,


s: He scorns to be guilty of starving a mouse.


s: Then come, boys, and welcome for diet the chief,


s: Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minced-pies, and roast-beef.


s: A long time together he hath been forgot,


s: They scarce could afford to hang on the pot;


s: Such miserly sneaking in England hath been,


s: As by our forefathers ne'er us'd to be seen;


s: But now he's returned, you shall have in brief,


s: The times were ne'er good since Old Christmas was fled,


s: No mirth at our festivals late did appear,


s: They scarcely would part with a cup of March beer;


s: But now you shall have for the ease of your grief,


s: The butler and baker, they now may be glad,


s: The times they are mended, though they have been bad;


s: The brewer, he likewise may be of good cheer,


s: He shall have good trading for ale and strong beer;


s: All trades shall be jolly, and have for relief,


s: And show that we ought to our neighbors be kind,


s: Inviting each other for pastime and sport,


s: And where we best fare, there we most do resort;


s: We fail not of victuals, and that of the chief,


s: Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minced-pies, and roast-beef.


s: The cooks shall be busied by day and by night,


s: In roasting and boiling, for taste and delight;


s: Their senses in liquor that's nappy they'll steep,


s: Though they be afforded to have little sleep;


s: They still are employed for to dress us in brief,


s: Although the cold weather doth hunger provoke,


s: 'Tis a comfort to see how the chimneys do smoke;


s: Provision is making for beer, ale, and wine,


s: For all that are willing or ready to dine:


s: Then haste to the kitchen for diet the chief,


s: All travellers, as they do pass on their way,


s: At gentlemen's halls are invited to stay,


s: Themselves to refresh, and their horses to rest,


s: Since that he must be Old Christmas's guest;


s: Nay, the poor shall not want, but have for relief,


s: Now Mock-beggar-hall it no more shall stand empty,


s: But all shall be furnisht with freedom and plenty;


s: The hoarding old misers, who us'd to preserve


s: The gold in their coffers, and see the poor starve,


s: Must now spread their tables, and give them in brief,


s: Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minced-pies, and roast-beef.


s: The court, and the city, and country are glad,


s: Old Christmas is come to cheer up the sad;


s: Broad pieces and guineas about now shall fly,


s: And hundreds be losers by cogging a die,


s: Whilst others are feasting with diet the chief,


s: Those that have no coin at the cards for to play,


s: And drink of their moisture contented and free,


s: "My honest, good fellow, come, here is to thee!"


s: And when they are hungry, fall to their relief,


s: Young gallants and ladies shall foot it along,


s: Each room in the house to the music shall throng,


s: Whilst jolly carouses about they shall pass,


s: And each country swain trip about with his lass;


s: Meantime goes the caterer to fetch in the chief,


s: The cooks and the scullion, who toil in their frocks,


s: Their hopes do depend upon their Christmas-box;


s: There is very few that do live on the earth


s: But enjoy at this time either profit or mirth;


s: Yea, those that are charged to find all relief,


s: Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minced-pies, and roast-beef.


s: Then well may we welcome Old Christmas to town,


s: Who brings us good cheer and good liquor so brown;


s: To pass the cold winter away with delight,


s: We feast it all day, and we frolic all night;


s: Both hunger and cold we keep out with relief,


s: Then let all curmudgeons who dote on their wealth,


s: And value their treasure much more than their health,


s: Go hang themselves up, if they will be so kind;


s: Old Christmas with them but small welcome shall find;


s: They will not afford to themselves without grief,


s: To drive down bravely the juice of malt.


s: For good roast-beef here stoutly stands;


s: Make fires with logs, let the cooks sweat


s: Hang up those churls that will not feast


s: Plum-pudding, roast-beef, nor such meat.


s: Of beef, veal, lamb, pork, mutton, souse.


s: Provide for Christmas ere that it do come,


s: To feast thy neighbor good cheer to have some;


s: Good bread and drink, a fire in the hall,


s: Beef, mutton, pork, and shred pies of the best,


s: Pig, veal, goose, capon, and turkey well drest;


s: Apples and nuts to throw about the hall,


s: That boys and girls may scramble for them all.


s: Sing jolly carols, make the fiddlers play,


s: Than some who do counterfeit most to be grave.


s: Now comes in bravely to my master's house,


s: As brawn and bacon, powdered beef, and souse.


s: Which stonéd was for Jesus Christ his sake,


s: Hath taught us all to heaven the ready way.


s: May take possession of our hearts at all,


s: Their bounties here so freely in this hall.


s: Esteeming not this world that is so hard.


s: The Lord above requite him for the same!


s: With leave of my good master and my dame.


s: My bones at quiet may go take their rest;


s: Then grant me, dame, your love and leave


s: The great King Arthur made a royal feast,


s: And held his Royal Christmas at Carlisle,


s: And thither came the vassals, most and least,


s: And all were entertained, both man and beast,


s: According to their rank, in proper style;


s: The steeds were fed and littered in the stable,


s: The ladies and the knights sat down to table.


s: The bill of fare (as you may well suppose)


s: Was suited to those plentiful old times,


s: With truffles, and ragouts, and various crimes;


s: And, therefore, from the original in prose


s: I shall arrange the catalogue in rhymes:


s: They served up salmon, venison and wild boars


s: By hundreds, and by dozens, and by scores.


s: Muttons, and fatted beeves, and bacon swine;


s: Teal, mallard, pigeons, widgeons, and, in fine.


s: And therewithal they drank good Gascon wine,


s: With mead, and ale, and cider of our own;


s: For porter, punch, and negus were not known.


s: All sorts of people there were seen together,


s: All sorts of characters, all sorts of dresses;


s: The fool with fox's tail and peacock feather,


s: Pilgrims, and penitents, and grave burgesses;


s: The country people with their coats of leather,


s: Vintners and victuallers with cans and messes,


s: Grooms, archers, varlets, falconers, and yeomen,


s: Damsels, and waiting-maids, and waiting-women.


s: By, by, lully, lullay, thow littell tyne child;


s: Ah, my dear Son, said Mary, ah, my dear,


s: Kiss thy mother, Jesu, with a laughing cheer!


s: My sweet little baby, what meanest thou to cry?


s: Be still, my blesséd babe, though cause thou hast to mourn,


s: Whose blood most innocent to shed the cruel king hath sworn;


s: And lo, alas! behold what slaughter he doth make,


s: Shedding the blood of infants all, sweet Saviour, for thy sake.


s: Three kings this King of kings to see are come from far,


s: To each unknown, with offerings great, by guiding of a star;


s: And shepherds heard the song, which angels bright did sing,


s: Giving all glory unto God for coming of this King,


s: Which must be made away--King Herod would him kill;


s: O woe and woful heavy day when wretches have their will?


s: Lo, lo, my little babe, be still, lament no more;


s: From fury thou shalt step aside, help have we still in store:


s: We heavenly warning have some other soil to seek;


s: From death must fly the Lord of life, as lamb both mild and meek:


s: O woe and woful heavy day when wretches have their will!


s: But thou shalt live and reign, as sibyls hath foresaid,


s: As all the prophets prophesy, whose mother, yet a maid


s: And perfect virgin pure, with her breasts shall upbreed


s: Both God and man that all hath made, the son of heavenly seed:


s: Whom caitives none can 'tray, whom tyrants none can kill:


s: O joy and joyful happy day when wretches want their will!


s: This lovely lady sat and sang, and to her child she said,--


s: The child then spake; in his talking he to his mother said,--


s: "I bekid[K] am king, in crib though I be laid;


s: "Now, sweet Son, since thou art king, why art thou laid in stall?


s: "Mary, mother, I am thy child, though I be laid in stall,


s: Lords and dukes shall worship me and so shall kingès all.


s: "Now tell me, sweet Son, I thee pray, thou art my love and dear,


s: How should I keep thee to thy pay[L] and make thee glad of cheer?


s: "My dear mother, when time it be, take thou me up aloft,


s: And set me upon thy knee and handle me full soft.


s: "Now, sweet Son, since it is so, all things are at thy will,


s: I pray thee grant to me a boon if it be right and skill,


s: Thou blessed soul, what canst thou fear?


s: Which thee shall cherish, clothe, and feed,


s: Nor such-like swaddling-clothes as these.


s: Have purchased wealth, my babe, for thee,


s: Though thou, my babe, perceiv'st it not.


s: "My darling, do not weep, my Jesu, sleep!"


s: _Translated from the Latin by Rev. H. R. Bramley._


s: Heaven's angels kneel and fold their wings:


s: They brought thee gifts of gold and gems,


s: Through heaven, through earth, hosannas ring.


s: My flesh, my Lord!--what name? I do not know


s: A name that seemeth not too high or low,


s: My Jesus, that is best! that word being given


s: When I and all the earth appeared to stand


s: Of light celestial from his wings and head.


s: And art Thou come for saving, baby-browed


s: And speechless Being--art Thou come for saving?


s: The palm that grows beside our door is bowed


s: By treadings of the low wind from the south,


s: A restless shadow through the chamber waving:


s: But Thou, with that close slumber on thy mouth,


s: Dost seem of wind and sun already weary.


s: Perchance this sleep that shutteth out the dreary


s: Earth-sounds and motions, opens on Thy soul


s: High songs that make the pathways where they roll


s: More bright than stars do theirs; and visions new


s: To guide the music and the glory through,


s: Nor narrow in Thy dream the broad upliftings


s: Thus, noiseless, thus. Sleep, sleep, my dreaming One!


s: Through my lips to mine heart; to all its shiftings


s: In a great calm. I feel, I could lie down


s: As Moses did, and die,[M]--and then live most.


s: That stand with your peculiar light unlost,


s: Each forehead with a high thought for a crown,


s: Unsunned i' the sunshine! I am 'ware. Yet throw


s: No shade against the wall! How motionless


s: While through your whiteness, in and outwardly,


s: Like light's soul in itself! I bear, I bear,


s: To look upon the dropt lids of your eyes,


s: I fall not on my sad clay face before ye;


s: The simple shepherds from the star-lit brooks


s: With long pale beards their gifts upon the ground,


s: So, let all earthlies and celestials wait


s: New meeknesses to hear such utterance rest


s: On mortal lips,--"I am not proud"--not proud!


s: As others bow before Him, still mine heart


s: Bows lower than their knees. O centuries


s: Whose murmurs seem to reach me while I keep


s: Say of me as the heavenly said,--"Thou art


s: Not holiest, not noblest,--no high name,


s: Whose height misplaced may pierce me like a shame,


s: God knows that I am feeble like the rest!--


s: I often wandered forth, more child than maiden,


s: God's voice, so soft yet strong--so fain to press


s: Upon my heart as heaven did on the height,


s: Then I knelt down most silent like the night,


s: Raising my small face to the boundless blue


s: Whose stars did mix and tremble in my tears.


s: God heard them falling after--with His dew.


s: This fair new Innocence no sun did chance


s: To shine on, (for even Adam was no child,)


s: Nor feel the blindness, stain, corruption, more


s: Can hands wherein such burden pure has been,


s: Not open with the cry, "Unclean, unclean!"


s: More oft than any else beneath the skies?


s: The kine, the shepherds, the abased wise,


s: Art Thou a King, then? Come, His universe,


s: Pluck rays from all such stars as never fling


s: And make a crowning for this kingly brow!--


s: Unchildlike shade!--no other babe doth wear


s: No small babe-smiles, my watching heart has seen,


s: To float like speech the speechless lips between;


s: No quick short joys of leaping babyhood.


s: In heaven thought evil, seems too good for Thee:


s: And then the drear, sharp tongue of prophecy,


s: With the dread sense of things which shall be done,


s: Doth smite me inly, like a sword--a sword?--


s: (That "smites the Shepherd!") then I think aloud


s: The words "despised,"--"rejected,"--every word


s: Bright angels,--move not!--lest ye stir the cloud


s: I must not die, with mother's work to do,


s: Beloved, yet Thou stirrest in Thy slumber!


s: Thou, stirring not for glad sounds out of number


s: Which through the vibratory palm-trees run


s: Must those cheeks, soft-tinged with rose,


s: So your mystery I shall learn--yet with tearless eyes.


s: Night's sombre clouds are slow withdrawn,


s: Her tears fell like the spring-time rain:


s: And on the hill-tops crowned with snows,


s: Where they sought Him, there they found Him


s: Good-night, good-night, the day is done;


s: Good-night, good-night, the Christmas bough


s: _Here comes a candle to light you to bed,


s: And here comes a chopper to chop off your head._


s: All the King's horses and all the King's men


s: Couldn't put Humpty Dumpty together again.


s: There was a crooked man, and he went a crooked mile,


s: He found a crooked sixpence against a crooked stile:


s: He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse,


s: And they all lived together in a crooked little house.


s: Leave them alone, and they'll come home,


s: But when she awoke, she found it a joke,


s: She found them indeed, but it made her heart bleed,


s: For they'd left all their tails behind 'em.


s: And his bullets were made of lead, lead, lead;


s: And he shot it right through the head, head, head.


s: And bid her a fire for to make, make, make;


s: And he'd go and fetch her the drake, drake, drake.


s: While master fiddles his fiddling-stick,


s: Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town,


s: Upstairs and downstairs in his nightgown,


s: Rapping at the window, crying through the lock,


s: "Are the children in their beds, for now it's eight o'clock?"


s: "Sic as folk tell ower at a winter ingle"


s: Copyright, 1891, by J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY.


s: CHRISTMAS WEATHER                              Frontispiece.


s: With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino!"


s: Who ys there that syngith so, nowell, nowell, nowell?


s: Welcome to us all, bothe more and lesse,


s: Dieu vous garde, beau syre, tydinges you bryng:


s: For Jesus Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day.


s: Your beer, your beer, your Christmas beer,


s: Pray whither sailed those ships all three,


s: And all the angels in heaven shall sing,


s: At night on a stone for a pillow he lay;


s: That its foot was on earth and its top in the sky.


s: Hallelujah to Jesus, who died on the tree,


s: And hath rais'd up a ladder of mercy for me.


s: This ladder is high, it is strong and well made,


s: Hath stood hundreds of years and is not yet decayed;


s: Many millions have climbed it and reached Zion's hill,


s: And thousands, by faith, are climbing it still.


s: Come, let us ascend, all may climb it who will,


s: For the angels of Jacob are guarding it still;


s: And remember each step that by faith we pass o'er,


s: Some prophet or martyr hath trod it before.


s: And when we arrive at the haven of rest,


s: We shall hear the glad word: Come up hither, ye blest!


s: Here are regions of light, here are mansions of bliss,


s: Oh, who would not climb such a ladder as this?


s: Art thou wode,[I] or thou ginnest to breed?[J]


s: And thou shalt see how these wild beasts


s: Was but a maiden's child, born in an ox's stall.


s: But the tears came trickling from His eyes


s: Thou art the Christ, the King of heaven,


s: The minstrels played their Christmas tune


s: The encircling laurels thick with leaves,


s: That scraped the chords with strenuous hand.


s: In simple childhood, spread through ours!


s: For names once heard, and heard no more;


s: With ambient streams more pure and bright


s: Glittering before the Thunderer's sight,


s: The ground where we were born and reared!


s: Bear with me, Brother! quench the thought


s: That through the clouds do sometimes steal,


s: Listen, Lordings, unto me, a tale I will you tell,


s: Which, as on this night of glee, in David's town befell.


s: Joseph came from Nazareth, with Mary that sweet maid;


s: Weary were they, nigh to death; and for a lodging pray'd.


s: Sing high, sing high, sing low, sing low,


s: In the inn they found no room; a scanty bed they made:


s: Soon a Babe from Mary's womb was in the manger laid.


s: Forth He came as light through glass: He came to save us all,


s: In the stable ox and ass before their Maker fall.


s: Shepherds lay afield that night, to keep the silly sheep,


s: Purer than the drops of dew, and brighter than the morn.


s: Onward then the angels sped, the shepherds onward went,


s: God was in His manger bed, in worship low they bent.


s: In the morning see ye mind, my masters one and all,


s: At the altar Him to find who lay within the stall.


s: _The snow in the street and the wind on the door._


s: Through what green sea and great have ye past?


s: _Minstrels and maids, stand forth on the floor._


s: To tell of great tidings strange and true:


s: What hope do ye deem there should us betide?


s: There lay three shepherds tending their sheep:


s: To slay your sorrow and heal your teen?"


s: _The snow in the street and the wind, on the door._


s: His hair was white, and his hood was wide.


s: Those twain knelt down to the Little One.


s: "And a marvellous song we straight did hear,


s: That slew our sorrow and healed our care."


s: "To Bethl'em did they go, the shepherds three;


s: To Bethl'em did they go to see whe'r it were so or no,


s: And say, "I'll be your guest to-morrow night,"


s: How should we stir ourselves, call and command


s: All hands to work: "Let no man idle stand.


s: And order taken that there want no meat.


s: See every sconce and candlestick made bright,


s: That without tapers they may give a light.


s: Look to the presence; are the carpets spread,


s: And all the candles lighted on the stairs?


s: Let each man give attendance in his place."


s: Thus if the king were coming would we do,


s: So he be pleased, to think no labor lost.


s: But at the coming of the King of Heaven,


s: Christ cannot find a chamber in the inn.


s: We entertain Him always like a stranger,


s: And, as at first, still lodge Him in the manger.


s: Fair eastern star, that art ordained to run


s: Here cease thy course, and wonder that the cloud


s: Of this poor stable can thy Maker shroud:


s: And are esteemed as ye are rich in light;


s: But here on earth is taught a different way,


s: Since under this low roof the Highest lay.


s: Displays her windows and adorns her bowers;


s: Yet there thou must not cast a trembling spark,


s: Each school and synagogue thy force repels,


s: There pride enthroned in misty error dwells;


s: The temple, where the priests maintain their quire,


s: Shall taste no beam of thy celestial fire,


s: While this weak cottage all thy splendor takes:


s: Here shines no golden roof, no ivory stair,


s: Girt with attendants, or by heralds styled,


s: But straw and hay enwrap a speechless child.


s: Yet Sabæ's lords before this babe unfold


s: Their treasures, offering incense, myrrh, and gold.


s: The crib becomes an altar; therefore dies


s: No ox nor sheep; for in their fodder lies


s: The Prince of Peace, who, thankful for His bed,


s: Destroys those rites in which their blood was shed:


s: The quintessence of earth He takes, and fees,


s: And precious gums distilled from weeping trees;


s: The glorious blessings which His laws prepare,


s: To clear us from the base and loathsome flood


s: Of sense and make us fit for angel's food,


s: Of fervent prayers with which we Him invoke,


s: And try our actions in the searching fire


s: By which the seraphims our lips inspire:


s: No muddy dross pure minerals shall infect,


s: No storm shall cross, nor glittering lights deface


s: Perpetual sighs which seek a happy place.


s: _1 King._ Bright Babe! whose awful beauties make


s: _2 King._ For whom the officious heavens devise


s: The day, and plant it fairer in Thy face;


s: _Chorus._ Look up, sweet Babe, look up and see!


s: _2 King._ A darkness made of too much day;


s: To Thee, the world's great universal East,


s: _1 King._ All-circling point! all-centring sphere!


s: _2 King._ Whose full and all-unwrinkled face


s: Nor sinks nor swells with time or place;


s: _3 King._ But everywhere and every while


s: _3 King._ Nor by alternate shreds of light;


s: Sordidly shifting hands with shades and night.