End now the white-loaf and the pie, And let all sports with Christmas die.

_Robert Herrick._

SAINT DISTAFF'S DAY, THE MORROW AFTER TWELFTH DAY.

Partly work and partly play Ye must on St. Distaff's day; From the plough soon free your team, Then come home and fodder them; If the maids a-spinning go, Burn the flax and fire the tow; Scorch their plackets, but beware That ye singe no maiden-hair; Bring in pails of water then, Let the maids bewash the men; Give St. Distaff all the right, Then bid Christmas sport good-night, And next morrow every one To his own vocation.

_Robert Herrick._

_The Shepherds._

"His place of birth a solemn angel tells To simple shepherds keeping watch by night."

_Milton._

ON OATEN PIPES.

As I rode out this enderes night, Of three ioli sheppardes I saw a sight, And all abowte there fold a star shone bright; They sang, terli, terlow; So mereli the sheppardes their pipes can blow.

Doune from heaven, from heaven so hie, Of angeles ther came a great companie, With mirthe, and joy, and great solemnitye, The sange, terly, terlow; So mereli the sheppardes their pipes can blow.

_Coventry Mysteries._

PIPE-PLAYING.

_Tyrle, Tyrle, so Merrily the Shepherds began to Blow._

About the field they piped full right, Even about the midst of the night; Adown from heaven they saw come a light, _Tyrle, tyrle._

Of angels there came a company With merry songs and melody, The shepherds anon gan them espy, _Tyrle, tyrle._

_Gloria in excelsis_ the angels sung, And said how peace was present among, To every man that to the faith would 'long, _Tyrle, tyrle._

The shepherds hied them to Bethlehem To see that blessed sun's beam; And there they found that glorious stream, _Tyrle, tyrle._

Now pray we to that meek Child, And to his mother that is so mild, The which was never defiled, _Tyrle, tyrle._

That we may come unto his bliss, Where joy shall never miss; That we may sing in Paradise, _Tyrle, tyrle._

I pray you all that be here For to sing and make good cheer, In the worship of G.o.d this year, _Tyrle, tyrle._

_Wright's Songs and Carols._

THE FIRST CAROL.

The first Nowell the Angel 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.

_Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,_ _Born is the King of Israel._

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.

_Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,_ _Born is the King of Israel._

The Star drew nigh to the northwest, O'er Bethlehem it took its rest, And there it did both stop and stay Right over the place where Jesus lay.

_Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,_ _Born is the King of Israel._

Then did they know a.s.suredly Within that house the King did lie: One enter'd in then for to see, And found the Babe in poverty.

_Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,_ _Born is the King of Israel._

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, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,_ _Born is the King of Israel._

Between an ox-stall and an a.s.s This Child truly there born he was; For want of clothing they did him lay All in the manger among the hay.

_Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,_ _Born is the King of Israel._

Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our Heavenly Lord, That hath made heaven and earth of naught, And with his blood mankind hath bought.

_Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,_ _Born is the King of Israel._

If we in our time shall do well, We shall be free from death and h.e.l.l; For G.o.d hath prepared for us all A resting-place in general.

_Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,_ _Born is the King of Israel._

IN BETHLEHEM.

In Bethlehem, that n.o.ble place, As by the Prophet said it was, Of the Virgin Mary, filled with grace.