The only Son of God was he,

The Lord and God most Highest ;

And he is the true Shepherd;

The young child Jesus Christ.
Novels, &c.

Then was there with the angel
An host incontinent

Of heavenly bright soldiers,

Which from the Highest was sent.
Novels, &c.

Lauding the Lord our God,
And his Celestial King;

All glory be in paradise,
This heavenly host did sing.
Novels, &c.

Glory be unto our God.

That sitteth still on high,

With praises and with triumph great,
And joyful melody.
Novels, &c.

But when this holy army

Of heavenly soldiers bright

Was unto God returned

And vanished out of sight;
Novels, &c.

The which the holy prophets
Spake of long time before,
That from the fall of Adam
He should us all restore.
Novels, &c.

The shepherds hearts were joyful
At this great glorious news,
That the King of all kings
was risen amongst the Jews.
Novels, &c.

Without the least of hinderance
Anon they went in then,

And found the young child Jesus Christ

Thus born in Bethlehem.
Novels, &c.

And as the angel told them,

So to them did appear;

They found the young child Jesus Christ
With Mary his mother dear.
Novels, &c.

Not sumptuously, but simply,
Was the young King array'd;
A manger was the cradle

Where the young child was laid.
Novels, &c.

No pride at all was found
In this most holy Child,
But he being void of all sin,
The Lamb of God most mild.
Novels, &c.

His body unto bitter pains
He
gave to set us free:

He is our Saviour Jesus Christ,
And none but only he.
Novels, &c.

To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
All glory be therefore,

To whom be all dominion
Both now and evermore!
Novels, &c.

XLVIII.

[For Christmas Day in the Morning, from Sandys, p. 74.]

THE first Nowell the Angell did say

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

In fields where they lay keeping their sheep

In a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
Born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.
Nowel, &c.

And by the light of that same star,
Three Wise Men came from country far;
To seek for a King was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.
Nowel, &c.

This star drew nigh to the North West,
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest,
And there it took both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay.
Nowell, &c.

Then did they know assuredly
Within that house the King did lie;
One entered in then for to see,

And found the babe in poverty,
Nowell, &c.

Then enter'd in those Wise Men three
Most reverently upon their knee,
And offer'd there in his presence,
Both gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.
Nowell, &c.

Between an ox stall and an ass,

This child truly there born he was;
For want of clothing they did him lay
In the manger, among the hay.
Nowell, &c.

Then let us all with one accord

Sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
That hath made heaven and earth of nought,
And with his blood mankind hath bought,
Nowell, &c.

If we in our time shall do well,

We shall be free from death and Hell,

For God hath prepared for us all

A resting place in generall.

Nowell, &c.

XLIX.
[From Sandys, p. 99.]

COME rejoice, all good Christians,
And rejoice now, I pray,
For joy our Redeemer
Was born on this day,
In the city of David,

And a cottage so poor;