I bid G.o.d bless them every one, And their bodies Christ save and see: Little children, shall I play with you, And you shall play with me?

But they made answer to me, No: They were lords' and ladies' sons; And I, the meanest of them all, Was but a maiden's child, born in an ox's stall.

Though you are but a maiden's child, Born in an ox's stall, Thou art the Christ, the King of heaven, And the Saviour of them all.

Sweet Jesus, go down to yonder town As far as the Holy Well, And take away those sinful souls, And dip them deep in h.e.l.l.

Nay, nay, sweet Jesus said, Nay, nay, that may not be; For there are too many sinful souls Crying out for the help of me.

THE HOLLY AND THE IVY.

The Holly and the Ivy, Now both are full well grown; Of all the trees that spring in wood, The holly bears the crown.

The holly bears a blossom As white as a lily flow'r; And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ To be our sweet Saviour.

The holly bears a berry As red as any blood, And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ To do poor sinners good.

The holly bears a p.r.i.c.kle As sharp as any thorn, And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ On Christmas Day in the morn.

The holly bears a bark As bitter as any gall, And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ For to redeem us all.

The holly and the ivy Now are both well grown; Of all the trees that are in the wood, The holly bears the crown.

THE CONTEST OF THE VINES.

Nay, ivy, nay, It shall not be, I wis; Let holly have the mastery, As the manner is.

Holly stand in the hall, Fair to behold; Ivy stand without the door, She is full sore a-cold.

Nay, ivy, nay, etc.

Holly and his merry men They dancen and they sing; Ivy and her maidens They weepen and they wring.

Nay, ivy, nay, etc.

Ivy hath a kybe,[P]

She caught it with the cold; So mot they all have ae,[Q]

That with ivy hold.

Nay, ivy, nay, etc.

Holly hath berries As red as any rose, The forester and the hunters Keep them from the does.

Nay, ivy, nay, etc.

Ivy hath berries As black as any sloe; There come the owl And eat him as she go.

Nay, ivy, nay, etc.

Holly hath birdes A full fair flock, The nightingale, the popinjay, The gentle laverock.

Nay, ivy, nay, etc.

Good ivy, What birdes hast thou?

None but the howlet That krey[R] "How, how."

Nay, ivy, nay, It shall not be, I wis; Let holly have the mastery, As the manner is.

FOOTNOTES:

[P] Chapped skin.

[Q] So may all have.

[R] Cries.

ANE SANG OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST.

A SCOTCH CAROL.

I come from hevin to tell The best nowellis that ever befell; To you this tythinges trew I bring, And I will of them say and sing:

This day to yow is borne ane childe Of Marie meike and Virgine mylde, That blessit barne, bining and kynde, Sall yow rejoyce baith heart and mynd.

My saull and lyfe, stand up and see Quha lyes in ane cribe of tree, Quhat babe is that, so gude and faire?

It is Christ, G.o.d's sonne and aire.

O G.o.d, that made all creature, How art Thow bec.u.m so pure, That on the hay and stray will lye Amang the a.s.ses, oxin, and kye!

O my deir hert, young Jesus sweit, Prepare Thy creddill in my spreit, And I sall rocke Thee in my hert, And never mair from Thee depart.

But I sall praise Thee evermoir With sangs sweit unto Thy gloir, The knees of my hert sall I bow, And sing that right Balululow.

CHRISTMAS MINSTRELSY.

The minstrels played their Christmas tune To-night beneath my cottage eaves; While smitten by a lofty moon, The encircling laurels thick with leaves, Gave back a rich and dazzling sheen, That overpowered their natural green.

Through hill and valley every breeze Had sunk to rest with folded wings: Keen was the air, but could not freeze Nor check the music of the strings; So stout and hardy were the band That sc.r.a.ped the chords with strenuous hand.

And who but listened?--till was paid Respect to every inmate's claim, The greeting given, the music played In honor of each household name, Duly p.r.o.nounced with l.u.s.ty call, And a merry Christmas wished to all.