And dogs thence with whole shoulders run,

So all things there aboundeth.

The country folks themselves advance

With crowdy-muttons1 out of France;

And Jack shall pipe, and Jill shall dance,

And all the town be merry.

Ned Squash hath fetched his bands from pawn, And all his best apparel;

Brisk Nell hath bought a ruff of lawn

With droppings of the barrel;

And those that hardly all the year

Had bread to eat, or rags to wear,

Will have both clothes and dainty fare,
And all the day be merry.

Now poor men to the justices

With

capons

make their errants;2

And if they hap to fail of these,

They plague them with their warrants;

Fiddlers.

2 Formerly this was a custom on the part of tenants to their landlords, which came to be followed by all the poorer sort, who made their annual offering at the great man's shrine at this particular season of the year.

But now they feed them with good cheer, And what they want they take in beer; For Christmas comes but once a year, And then they shall be merry.

Good farmers in the country nurse
The poor, that else were undone ;
Some landlords spend their money worse,
On lust and pride at London.
There the roysters they do play,
Drab and dice their lands away,
Which may be ours another day;
And therefore let's be merry.

The client now his suit forbears,
The prisoner's heart is eased;
The debtor drinks away his cares,
And for the time is pleased.
Though other purses be more fat,
Why should we pine or grieve at that?

Hang sorrow! care will kill a cat,

And therefore let's be merry.

Hark! how the wags abroad do call

Each other forth to rambling:

Anon you'll see them in the hall

For nuts and apples scrambling.
Hark! how the roofs with laughter sound!
Anon they'll think the house goes round;
For they the cellar's depth have found,
And there they will be merry.

The wenches with their wassail bowls
About the streets are singing;

The boys are come to catch the owls,
The wild mare in is bringing.

Our kitchen-boy hath broke his box,1

And to the dealing of the ox

Our honest neighbours come by flocks,

And here they will be merry.

Now kings and queens poor sheep-cotes have,

And mate with everybody;

The honest now may play the knave,

And wise men play the noddy.

3 In allusion to the old Christmas money-box, made of earthenware, which required to be broken before the money could be obtained.

Some youths will now a mumming go,

Some others play at Rowland-ho,

And twenty other gambols mo,
Because they will be merry.

Then wherefore in these merry days
Should we, I pray, be duller?
No, let us sing some roundelays,
To make our mirth the fuller.
And, whilst thus inspired we sing,
Let all the streets with echoes ring,
Woods and hills, and everything,

Bear witness we are merry.

ALL YOU THAT IN THIS HOUSE

BE HERE.

[AT the Restoration, Christmas Carols once more came into fashion. The following pleasing little composition is extracted from "New Carrols for this Merry Time of Christmas," 1661.]

LL

you that in this house be here,
Remember Christ, that for us died;
And spend away with modest cheer
In loving sort this Christmas tide.

And, whereas plenty God hath sent,
Give frankly to your friends in love :
The bounteous mind is freely bent,
And never will a niggard prove.

Our table spread within the hall,
I know a banquet is at hand,
And friendly sort to welcome all

That will unto their tacklings stand.