CAROL. (From "New Carols for this Merry Time of Christmas,” 1661.) ALL you that in this house be here, 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. The maids are bonny girls, I see, Who have provided much good cheer, And I have here two knives in store, For, if I should, no Christmas pie Would fall, I doubt, unto my share; To fight a battle if I dare. For pastry-crust, like castle walls, And I made captain of the place. The prunes so lovely, look on me, The pie-meat spiced brave I see, The which I must not let alone. Then, butler, fill me forth some beer, My song hath made me somewhat dry; And so, again, to this good cheer, I'll quickly fall, courageously. And for my master I will pray, With all that of his household are, Both old and young, that long we may For pastry-crust, like castle walls, And I made captain of the place. The prunes so lovely, look on me, The which I must not let alone. Then, butler, fill me forth some beer, My song hath made me somewhat dry; And so, again, to this good cheer, I'll quickly fall, courageously. And for my master I will pray, With all that of his household are, |