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. Lauding the Lord our God, And his Celestial King; All glory be in paradise, This heavenly host did sing. Glory be unto our God. That sitteth still on high, With praises and with triumph great, 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 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; Where the young child was laid. No pride at all was found In this most holy Child, But he being void of all sin, The Lamb of God most mild. His body unto bitter pains He is our Saviour Jesus Christ, 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 And by the light of that same star, And to follow the star wherever it went. This star drew nigh to the North West, And there it took both stop and stay 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, 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; 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, 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; |