Thalia Rediviva The Pass-times and Diversions of a Countrey-muse, In Choice Poems on several Occasions. With Some Learned Remains of the Eminent Eugenius Philalethes. Never made Publick till now [by Henry Vaughan] |
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The true Christmas.
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 | Thalia Rediviva |  |
The true Christmas.
So stick up Ivie and the Bays,
And then restore the heathen ways.
Green will remind you of the spring,
Though this great day denies the thing.
And mortifies the Earth and all
But your wild Revels, and loose Hall.
Could you wear Flow'rs, and Roses strow
Blushing upon your breasts warm Snow,
That very dress your lightness will
Rebuke, and wither at the Ill.
The brightness of this day we owe
Not unto Music, Masque nor Showe:
Nor gallant furniture, nor Plate;
But to the Manger's mean Estate.
His life while here, as well as birth,
Was but a cheek to pomp and mirth;
And all mans greatness you may see
Condemn'd by his humility.
And then restore the heathen ways.
Green will remind you of the spring,
Though this great day denies the thing.
And mortifies the Earth and all
But your wild Revels, and loose Hall.
Could you wear Flow'rs, and Roses strow
Blushing upon your breasts warm Snow,
That very dress your lightness will
Rebuke, and wither at the Ill.
The brightness of this day we owe
Not unto Music, Masque nor Showe:
Nor gallant furniture, nor Plate;
But to the Manger's mean Estate.
His life while here, as well as birth,
Was but a cheek to pomp and mirth;
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Condemn'd by his humility.
Then leave your open house and noise,
To welcom him with holy Joys,
And the poor Shepherd's watchfulness:
Whom light and hymns from Heav'n did bless.
What you abound with, cast abroad
To those that want, and ease your loade.
Who empties thus, will bring more in;
But riot is both loss and Sin.
Dress finely what comes not in sight,
And then you keep your Christmas right.
To welcom him with holy Joys,
And the poor Shepherd's watchfulness:
Whom light and hymns from Heav'n did bless.
What you abound with, cast abroad
To those that want, and ease your loade.
Who empties thus, will bring more in;
But riot is both loss and Sin.
Dress finely what comes not in sight,
And then you keep your Christmas right.
| Thalia Rediviva | |