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Show MEBBIE CHRISTMAS. (By Sir Walter Scott.) Hep on more wood! the wind is chill; But let it whistle as it whl. We'll keep our Christmas merry still. Each age has deemed the new-born year The fittest time for festal cheer: And well our Christian sires of old LoveJ when the year its course had rolled. , And brought blithe Christmas back again With all his hospitable train. Domestic and religious rite Gave honor to the holy night; On Christmas Eve the bells yvere rung. On Christmas Eve the mass yvas sung; That only night in all the year Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear. The damsel donned her kirtle sheen; The hall was dressed with holly green. Forth to the wood did merry men go To gather in the mistletoe. Then opened wide the baron's hall To vassal, tenant, serf and all; Power laid his rod of rule aside And Ceremony doffed his pride. The heur. yvith roses in his shoes.-That, shoes.-That, night might village partner choose; All hailed with uncontrolled delight And general voice the happy night, That to the cottage as the crown. Brought tidings of salvation down. The fire, with well-dried logs supplied. Went roaring up the chimney wide; The huge hall table's oaken face. Scrubbed till it shone, the day to grace, Bore then upon its massive board No mark to part the squire and lord. Then was brought in the lusty brawn Bv old blue-coated serving man; Then the grim boar's head frowned on high. Crested with bays and rasemary. Well can tho green-barbed ranger tell How. yvhen and where the monster fell; What dogs before his deai'n he tore, i And all the baiting of the boar. The wassail round, in good brown bowls. Garnished with ribbons, blithely trowls. There the huge sirloin reeked: hard by Plum porridge stood, and Christmas pio; Nor failed old Scotland to produce At such high tide her savory goose. Then came tho merry maskers in. And carols roared with blithesome din; If unmelodious was the song. It was a haarty note and strong. Engiand was merry England when Old Christmas brought his sports again. 'Twas Christmas broached the mightiest 'Twas Christmas told the merriest tale; ; A Christmas gambol oft could cheer i The poor man's heart through half the j year. |
