POEMS ON CHRISTMAS

MERRY-MAKING

93. NOWELL, NOWELL, NOWELL, NOWELL

OWELL, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell.

NOWELL

94.

'Who is there that singeth so nowell, noweli, nowell?'

I am here, Sir Christmas.'
'Welcome, my lord Sir Christmas.

Welcome to us both more and less,
Come near.' Nowell.

Tidings I you bring;

'Dieu vous garde, beau sire.
A maid hath born a Child full ying 1
The which causeth for to sing
Nowell.

1

'Christ is now born of a pure maid; In an ox-stall he is laid:

Wherefore sing we all at a brayde

Nowell.

3

'Beuvez bien par tutte la company, Make good cheer and be right merry; And sing with us now right joyfully,

Nowell,

MAN, BE JOYFUL.

MAN

AN, be joyful and mirth thou make,
For Christ is made man for thy sake.

Man, be merry, I thee rede,

But be ware what mirths thou make:
Christ is clothed in thy weed

And He is made man for thy sake.

Man, be joyful

He came from His Father's seat,
Into this world to be thy make;
Man, be ware how thou Him treat,
For He is made man for thy sake.

Look thou mercy ever cry,

Now and alway, rathe and late,
And He will set thee wonder high,
For He is made man for thy sake.

95.

MAKE WE MERRY

MAKE

TAKE we merry, both more and less,
For now is the time of Christëmas!

Let no man come into this hall,
Groom, page, nor yet marshall,
But that some sport he bring withal!
For now is the time of Christëmas!

If that he say he cannot sing,
Some other sport then let him bring,
That it may please at this feasting.
For now is the time of Christemas !

If he say he can nought do,
Then for my love ask him no mo,
But to the stocks then let him go!
For now is the time of Christëmas!