For if I schuld, no Christmas pye For pastry-crust, like castle walls, And I made captain of the place. The prunes so lovely look on me, The which I must not let alone. Then, butler, fill me forth some beer, I'le quickly fall couragiously. And for my master I will pray, With all that of his household are, Both old and young, that long we may Of God's good blessings have a share. XLV. [A Christmas Song, from "Poor Robin's Almanac," 1695. It is taken from Brand's "Popular Antiquities," as we have not been able to meet with a copy of the Almanac of that year. Brand appears to have omitted a part of a stanza.] "Now thrice welcome Christmas, So well doth the weather And our stomachs agree. Observe how the chimneys No victuals appear, All the rest of the year! With holly and ivy So green and so gay; As fresh as the day, With bays and rosemary, And lawrel compleat, Is a king in conceit. But as for all curmudgeons, Who will not be free, I wish they may die On the three-legged tree. XLVI. [A Christmas Carol, from "Poor Robin's Almanac,” Dec. 1700.] Now that the time is come wherein, our Saviour Christ was born, The larders full of beef and pork, to feast thy needy neighbours. Let fires in every chimney be, that people they may warm them; Tables with dishes covered, good victuals will not harm them. With mutton, veals, beef, pig, and pork, well furnish every board, Plum-pudding, furmity and what thy stock will then afford. No niggard of the liquor be, This feast is to relieve the poor, and not to drunken Bacchus. Thus if thou doest, 'twill credit raise thee, God will the bless, and neighbours praise thee. XLVII. [From Sandys, p. 63.] A CHILD this day is born, Novels, sing all we may, Was born this blessed day. This child both God and man From heaven down to us came, He is the King of all kings, And Jesus is his name. These tidings shepherds heard Who standing near by them That they amazed were At that most glorious sight. To whom the angel spoke, Be glad, poor silly shepherds; For lo, I bring you tidings Novels, &c. |