 | The Shepherd's Garden |  |
111
WELCOME TO CHRISTMAS.
Old Christmas is come with fife and with drum,
So let us forget the foul weather:
Though his beard may be white, his warm heart shall requite
All the cold as we trip it together.
We will dance in a ring, we will laugh and will sing,
To greet the blithe season and merry;
Above us shall grow the green mistletoe,
And holly shall bring his red berry.
Here's Polly, Kate, Margery, Phœbe, and Bess,
With Annot so slender and tall,
And Cicely fair seen, of beauties the queen:
So, lovers, come choose for the ball.
So let us forget the foul weather:
Though his beard may be white, his warm heart shall requite
All the cold as we trip it together.
We will dance in a ring, we will laugh and will sing,
To greet the blithe season and merry;
Above us shall grow the green mistletoe,
And holly shall bring his red berry.
Here's Polly, Kate, Margery, Phœbe, and Bess,
With Annot so slender and tall,
And Cicely fair seen, of beauties the queen:
So, lovers, come choose for the ball.
Now stir up the fire and let it burn higher,
Of faggots and logs there are plenty;
Set the candles aflame, for it is no shame
This festival night to burn twenty.
Let the tabors begin with musical din,
And light feet be airily glancing:
Grave sorrow despairs to touch the grey hairs
That shake in this jovial dancing.
Come Polly, Kate, Margery, Phœbe, and Bess,
Come Annot and lead out the ball:
Sweet Cicely for me my partner shall be,
For so I will choose from them all.
Of faggots and logs there are plenty;
Set the candles aflame, for it is no shame
This festival night to burn twenty.
Let the tabors begin with musical din,
And light feet be airily glancing:
Grave sorrow despairs to touch the grey hairs
That shake in this jovial dancing.
112
Come Annot and lead out the ball:
Sweet Cicely for me my partner shall be,
For so I will choose from them all.
Now let the dance thrive and mirth be alive;
And if lads, the coy lasses deceiving,
'Neath the brave mistletoe a kiss should bestow,
Why, let them not say it is thieving.
Love will not refuse such delicate dues,
Nor will he be scorned at the flouting;
So maidens despise to cloud your bright eyes,
And spoil your fair faces by pouting.
Hey, Polly, Kate, Margery, Phœbe, and Bess,
Hey, Annot so graceful and tall!
With Cicely I go through the world high and low;
For she is the pride of them all.
And if lads, the coy lasses deceiving,
'Neath the brave mistletoe a kiss should bestow,
Why, let them not say it is thieving.
Love will not refuse such delicate dues,
Nor will he be scorned at the flouting;
So maidens despise to cloud your bright eyes,
And spoil your fair faces by pouting.
Hey, Polly, Kate, Margery, Phœbe, and Bess,
Hey, Annot so graceful and tall!
With Cicely I go through the world high and low;
For she is the pride of them all.
Though ye hear the cock crow from over the snow,
Think not that the dawn is advancing;
He doth but rejoice at the cheerful noise,
Our holiday revels enhancing.
So have ye no care that morning should dare
To break off our sports in the middle:
Should be show forth his head we will put him to bed
To the sound of the fife and the fiddle.
Dance Polly, Kate, Margery, Phœbe, and Bess,
Dance Annot and frisk out the ball:
Brave Cicely my belle shall foot it full well;
For she is the deftest of all.
Think not that the dawn is advancing;
He doth but rejoice at the cheerful noise,
Our holiday revels enhancing.
So have ye no care that morning should dare
To break off our sports in the middle:
Should be show forth his head we will put him to bed
To the sound of the fife and the fiddle.
113
Dance Annot and frisk out the ball:
Brave Cicely my belle shall foot it full well;
For she is the deftest of all.
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