Golden Numbers Part 87

But we with silks, not crewels, With sundry precious jewels, And lily work will dress thee; And, as we dispossess thee Of clouts, we'll make a chamber, Sweet babe, for thee Of ivory, And plaster'd round with amber.

ROBERT HERRICK.

_Old Christmas Returned_

All you that to feasting and mirth are inclined, Come here is good news for to pleasure your mind, Old Christmas is come for to keep open house, He scorns to be guilty of starving a mouse: Then come, boys, and welcome for diet the chief, Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minced pies, and roast beef.

The holly and ivy about the walls wind And show that we ought to our neighbors be kind, Inviting each other for pastime and sport, And where we best fare, there we most do resort; We fail not of victuals, and that of the chief, Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minced pies, and roast beef.

All travellers, as they do pa.s.s on their way, At gentlemen's halls are invited to stay, Themselves to refresh, and their horses to rest, Since that he must be Old Christmas's guest; Nay, the poor shall not want, but have for relief, Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minced pies, and roast beef.

OLD CAROL.

_Ceremonies for Christmas_

Come, bring with a noise, My merry, merry boys, The Christmas log to the firing, While my good dame, she Bids ye all be free, And drink to your heart's desiring.

With the last year's brand Light the new block, and For good success in his spending, On your psalteries play, That sweet luck may Come while the log is a-teending.

Drink now the strong beer, Cut the white loaf here, The while the meat is a-shredding; For the rare mince-pie, And the plums stand by, To fill the paste that's a-kneading.

ROBERT HERRICK.

_Christmas in England._

Heap on more wood!--the wind is chill; But let it whistle as it will, We'll keep our Christmas merry still; Each age has deem'd the new-born year The fittest time for festal cheer; Even, heathen yet, the savage Dane At Iol more deep the mead did drain; High on the beach his galleys drew, And feasted all his pirate crew.

On Christmas Eve the bells were rung; On Christmas Eve the ma.s.s was sung: That only night in all the year Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear.

The damsel donned her kirtle sheen; The hall was dressed with holly green; Forth to the wood did merry-men go, To gather in the mistletoe; Then open'd wide the baron's hall To va.s.sal, tenant, serf, and all.

Power laid his rod of rule aside, And Ceremony doffed his pride.

The heir, with roses in his shoes, That night might village partner choose; The Lord, underogating, share The vulgar game of "Post and pair."

All hail'd with uncontroll'd delight And general voice the happy night, That to the cottage, as the crown, Brought tidings of salvation down.

"England was merry England when Old Christmas brought his sports again.

'Twas Christmas broach'd the mightiest ale; 'Twas Christmas told the merriest tale; A Christmas gambol oft could cheer The poor man's heart through half the year."

SIR WALTER SCOTT.

_From "Marmion."_

_The Gracious Time_

Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated, The bird of dawning singeth all night long: And then, they say, no spirit dares stir abroad; The nights are wholesome; then no planets strike, No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm, So hallow'd and so gracious is the time.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.

_From "Hamlet."_

_Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning_

Brightest and best of the Sons of the morning!

Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid!

Star of the East, the horizon adorning, Guide where our Infant Redeemer is laid!

Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are s.h.i.+ning, Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall; Angels adore Him in slumber reclining, Maker and Monarch and Saviour of all!

Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion, Odors of Edom and offerings divine?

Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean, Myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine?

Vainly we offer each ample oblation; Vainly with gifts would His favor secure: Richer by far is the heart's adoration; Dearer to G.o.d are the prayers of the poor.

Brightest and best of the Sons of the morning!

Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid!

Star of the East, the horizon adorning, Guide where our Infant Redeemer is laid!

REGINALD HEBER.

THE END

INDEX BY AUTHORS

ADDISON, JOSEPH [1672-1719]: _The s.p.a.cious Firmament on High_, 54.

ALDRICH, THOMAS BAILEY [1836--]: _Maple Leaves_, 17; _Before the Rain_, 31; _Tiger-Lilies_, 71; _A Turkish Legend_, 611.

ALEXANDER, CECIL FRANCES [1830-1895]: _The Burial of Moses_, 504.

ALLINGHAM, WILLIAM [1824-1889]: _Wild Rose_, 70; _The Fairy Folk_, 174; _Blowing Bubbles_, 195; _Windla.s.s Song_, 268; _The Abbot of Inisfalen_, 474.

ANDERSON, ALEXANDER [1845--]: _Cuddle Doon_, 126.

ARNOLD, EDWIN [1831--]: _Almond Blossom_, 69.