105. Christmas Merry-making And whilst thus inspired we sing, Bear witness we are merry. GEORGE WITHER CEREMONIES FOR CHRISTMAS OME, bring with a noise, COM My merry, merry boys, The Christmas log to the firing; While my good dame she And drink to your hearts' desiring. With the last year's brand Light the new block, and That sweet luck may Come while the log is a-teending.' Drink now the strong beer, 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. Ceremonies for Christmas CHRISTMAS EVE: ANOTHER CEREMONY NOME, guard this night the Christmas pie, CON That the thief, though ne'er so sly, With his flesh-hooks don't come nigh To catch it. From him, who all alone sits there, To watch it. ANOTHER TO THE MAIDS WASH your hands, or else the fire Will not teend to your desire; Unwash'd hands, ye maidens, know, W ANOTHER ASSAIL the trees, that they may bear For more or less fruits they will bring, As you do give them wassailing. ROBERT HERRICK 106. G THE WASSAIL IVE way, give way, ye gates, and win And basket, by our entering in. The Wassail May both with manchet 1 stand replete; Yet, ere twelve moons shall whirl about Next may your dairies prosper so Like to a solemn sober stream Then, may your plants be prest with fruit, But sweetly sounding like a lute. Next may your duck and teeming hen And for their two eggs render ten. Last may your harrows, shears, and ploughs, ROBERT HERRICK I White bread. 107. TWELFTH NIGHT OW, now the mirth comes Now, With the cake full of plums, Where bean's the king of the sport here; The pea also Must revel as queen in the court here. Begin then to choose This night as ye use, Who shall for the present delight here; And who shall not Be Twelfth-day queen for the night here. Which known, let us make And let not a man then be seen here, Who unurg'd will not drink, To the base from the brink, A health to the king and the queen here. Next crown the bowl full And thus ye must do To make the wassail a swinger. 108. Twelfth Night Give then to the king And queen wassailing: And though with ale ye be whet here, As free from offence As when ye innocent met here. ROBERT HERRICK TO SIR SIMOND STEWARD O news of navies burnt at seas; N No noise of late-spawn'd tittyries; No closet plot, or open vent That frights men with a parliament: I To read by th' stars the kingdom's sick; |