The Project Gutenberg EBook of In The Yule-Log Glow, Vol. IV (of IV), by Harrison S. Morris This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: In The Yule-Log Glow, Vol. IV (of IV) Author: Harrison S. Morris Release Date: April 1, 2007 [EBook #20956] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK YULE-LOG GLOW *** Produced by Jason Isbell, Sam W. and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net IN THE YULE-LOG GLOW CHRISTMAS POEMS FROM 'ROUND THE WORLD "Sic as folk tell ower at a winter ingle" Scott EDITED BY HARRISON S. MORRIS IN FOUR BOOKS Book IV. PHILADELPHIA J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY 1900. Christmas Weather Copyright, 1891, by J. B. Lippincott Company. Printed by J. B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia. ILLUSTRATIONS, BOOK IV. Christmas Weather Frontispiece. "What Can I Give Him?" Page 90 The Season's Reveries " 174 "Too Happy, Happy Tree" " 212 CONTENTS OF BOOK IV. Sung Under The Window. page Who's There? 9 God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen 10 Welcome Yule 12 Angel Heralds 14 The Matchless Maiden 15 Remember, O Thou Man 16 The Singers in the Snow 19 A Christmas Chorus 21 Three Ships 22 Jacob's Ladder 24 Saint Stephen, the Clerk 26 The Carnal and the Crane 29 [Pg 3] The Holy Well 35 The Holly and the Ivy 38 The Contest of the Vines 39 Ane Sang of the Birth of Christ 41 Christmas Minstrelsy 43 The Old, Old Story 47 A Christmas Ballad 49 A French Noël[A] 52 Masters, in this Hall 54 The Worship Of The Babe. To His Saviour, a Child; a Present, by a Child 59 Honor to the King 60 New Prince, New Pomp 62 Of the Epiphany 64 A Hymn for the Epiphany 66 A Hymn on the Nativity of My Saviour 68 At Christmas 70 New Heaven, New War 72 For Christmas Day 73 Sung to the King in the Presence at Whitehall 75 And They Laid Him in a Manger 77 The Burning Babe 79 Christ's Nativity 81 An Ode on the Birth of Our Saviour 83 Who Can Forget? 85 The Child Jesus 87 Long Ago 89 Star of Bethlehem 91 No Room 92 On Christmas Day 94 The Heavenly Choir 96 The Wassail-Bowl. Wassail 103 Invitation à Faire Noël 105 A Thanksgiving 107 Around the Wassail-Bowl 108 From Door to Door 111 Wassailing Carol 113 A Carol at the Gates 116 Wandering Wassailers 118 Bring Us in Good Ale 120 About the Board 122 Before the Feast 123 A Bill of Christmas Fare 125 The Mahogany-Tree 126 A Christmas Ceremony 129 With Cakes and Ale 129 The Masque of Christmas 130 Santa Claus. A Visit from St. Nicholas 145 The Hard Times in Elfland[B] 148 [Pg 4] [Pg 5] Old Christmas 156 Mrs. Santa Claus 158 Santa Claus to Little Ethel 163 The Season's Reveries. Guests at Yule 169 Christmas in India 171 Christmas Violets 174 Dickens Returns on Christmas Day 175 A Grief at Christmas 176 My Sister's Sleep 183 Christmas in Edinborough. I. 186 Christmas in Edinborough. II. 187 Around the Christmas Lamp 188 Christmas Eve 189 Wonderland 190 Waiting 192 Aunt Mary 193 The Glad New Day 195 Under the Holly Bough 196 The Dawn of Christmas 198 Ballade of Christmas Ghosts 200 The Village Christmas 202 Winter 203 December 204 Christmas Weather in Scotland 205 Sir Galahad 212 A Thought for the Time 213 Ballade of the Winter Fireside 214 A Catch by the Hearth 216 Sally in Our Alley 217 Little Mother 218 Occident and Orient 220 The Blessed Day 225 Christmas in Cuba[C] 227 Farewell to Christmas 229 The New Year 231 A Happy New Year 234 New-Year's Gifts 236 The End of the Play 238 Finis 240 FOOTNOTES: By the courtesy of Messrs. Houghton, Mifflin & Co. By the courtesy of Messrs. Charles Scribners' Sons. By the courtesy of Messrs. Harper & Bros. Sung Under The Window. "This carol they began that hour [Pg 6] [A] [B] [C] [Pg 7] With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino!" Shakespeare. WHO'S THERE? Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell, Who ys there that syngith so, nowell, nowell, nowell? I am here, syre Christmasse! Well come, my lord syre Christmasse, Welcome to us all, bothe more and lesse, Come nere, nowell! Dieu vous garde, beau syre, tydinges you bryng: A mayd hath born a chylde full yong, The weche causeth yew for to syng, Nowell! Criste is now born of a pure mayde, In an oxe stalle he ys layde, Wher'for syng we alle atte abrayde Nowell! Bebbex bien par tutte la company, Make gode chere and be right mery, And syng with us now joyfully, Nowell! GOD REST YOU MERRY, GENTLEMEN. God rest you merry, gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay, For Jesus Christ our Saviour Was born upon this day To save us all from Satan's power When we were gone astray. O tidings of comfort and joy, For Jesus Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day. In Bethlehem in Jewry This blessed babe was born, And laid within a manger Upon this blessed morn; The which His mother Mary Nothing did take in scorn. O tidings, etc. From God our Heavenly Father A blessed angel came, And unto certain shepherds Brought tidings of the same, How that in Bethlehem was born The Son of God by name. O tidings, etc. Fear not, then said the angel, Let nothing you affright, This day is born a Saviour Of virtue, power, and might; So frequently to vanquish all [Pg 9] [Pg 10] [Pg 11] The friends of Satan quite. O tidings, etc. The shepherds at those tidings Rejoicéd much in mind, And left their flocks a-feeding In tempest, storm, and wind, And went to Bethlehem straightway This blessed babe to find. O tidings, etc. But when to Bethlehem they came, Whereat this infant lay, They found Him in a manger Where oxen feed on hay; His mother Mary kneeling Unto the Lord did pray. O tidings, etc. Now to the Lord sing praises, All you within this place, And with true love and brotherhood Each other now embrace; This holy tide of Christmas All others doth deface. O tidings, etc. WELCOME YULE. Welcome Yule, thou merry man, In worship of this holy day. Welcome be thou, heaven-king, Welcome born in one morning, Welcome for whom we shall sing, Welcome Yule. Welcome be ye, Stephen and John, Welcome Innocents, every one, Welcome Thomas Martyr one, Welcome Yule. Welcome be ye, good New Year, Welcome Twelfth Day, both in fere,[D] Welcome saintés lef[E] and dear, Welcome Yule. Welcome be ye, Candlemas, Welcome be ye, Queen of Bliss, Welcome both to more and less, Welcome Yule. Welcome be ye that are here, Welcome all and make good cheer; Welcome all, another year, Welcome Yule. Ritson's Ancient Songs. FOOTNOTES: Together. [Pg 12] [Pg 13] [D] Loved. ANGEL HERALDS. As Joseph was a-walking, He heard an angel sing: "This night shall be born Our Heavenly King; "He neither shall be born In housen nor in hall, Nor in the place of Paradise, But in an ox's stall; "He neither shall be clothéd In purple nor in pall, But all in fair linen, As we were babies all. "He neither shall be rocked In silver nor in gold, But in a wooden cradle That rocks on the mould. "He neither shall be christened In white wine nor in red, But with fair spring-water With which we were christenéd." THE MATCHLESS MAIDEN. I sing of a maiden That is makeless;[F] King of all kings To her son she ches;[G] He came also[H] still There His mother was, As dew in April That falleth on the grass. He came also still To His mother's bower, As dew in April That falleth on the flower. He came also still There His mother lay, As dew in April That falleth on the spray. Mother and maiden Was never none but she; Well may such a lady God's mother be. Wright's Songs and Carols. FOOTNOTES: [E] [Pg 14] [Pg 15] Matchless. Chose. As. REMEMBER, O THOU MAN. Remember, O thou Man, O thou Man, O thou Man; Remember, O thou Man, Thy time is spent. Remember, O thou Man, How thou earnest to me then, And I did what I can, Therefore repent. Remember Adam's fall, O thou Man, O thou Man; Remember Adam's fall From Heaven to Hell. Remember Adam's fall, How we were condemnéd all To Hell perpetual, There for to dwell. Remember God's goodness, O thou Man, O thou Man; Remember God's goodness And promise made. Remember God's goodness, How His only Son He sent Our sins for to redress, Be not afraid. The Angels all did sing, O thou Man, O thou Man; The Angels all did sing On Sion hill. The Angels all did sing Praises to our heavenly king, And peace to man living, With right good-will. The Shepherds amazed was, O thou Man, O thou Man; The Shepherds amazed was To hear the angels sing. The Shepherds amazed was How this should come to pass, That Christ our Messias Should be our King. To Bethlehem did they go, O thou Man, O thou Man; To Bethlehem did they go This thing to see. To Bethlehem did they go To see whether it was so, Whether Christ was born or no, To set us free. As the Angels before did say, O thou Man, O thou Man; As the Angels before did say, [F] [G] [H] [Pg 16] [Pg 17] So it came to pass. As the Angels before did say, They found Him wrapt in hay In a manger where He lay, So poor He was. In Bethlehem was He born, O thou Man, O thou Man; In Bethlehem was He born For mankind dear. In Bethlehem was He born For us that were forlorn, And therefore took no scorn Our sins to bear. In a manger laid He was, O thou Man, O thou Man; In a manger laid He was At this time present. In a manger laid He was Between an ox and an ass, And all for our trespass, Therefore repent. Give thanks to God always, O thou Man, O thou Man; Give thanks to God always With hearts most jolly. Give thanks to God always Upon this blessed day, Let all men sing and say, Holy, Holy. Ravenscroft's Melismata, a.d. 1611. THE SINGERS IN THE SNOW. God bless the master of this house And all that are therein, And to begin this Christmas tide With mirth now let us sing. For the Saviour of all people Upon this time was born, Who did from death deliver us. When we were left forlorn. Then let us all most merry be, And sing with cheerful voice, For we have good occasion now This time for to rejoice. For, etc. Then put away contention all, And fall no more at strife, Let every man with cheerfulness Embrace his loving wife. For, etc. With plenteous food your houses store, Provide some wholesome cheer, And call your friends together That live both far and near. For, etc. [Pg 18] [Pg 19] Then let us all most merry be, Since that we are come here, And we do hope before we part To taste some of your beer. For, etc. Your beer, your beer, your Christmas beer, That seems to be so strong; And we do wish that Christmas-tide Was twenty times so long. For, etc. Then sing with voices cheerfully, For Christ this time was born, Who did from death deliver us, When we were left forlorn. For, etc. A CHRISTMAS CHORUS. Here is joy for every age— Every generation; Prince and peasant, chief and sage, Every tongue and nation, Every tongue and nation, Every rank and station, Hath to-day salvation. Alleluia! When the world drew near its close, Came our Lord and leader; From the lily came the rose, From the bush the cedar, From the bush the cedar, From the judge the pleader, From the saint the feeder. Alleluia! God, that came on earth this morn, In a manger lying, Hallow'd birth by being born, Vanquished death by dying, Vanquished death by dying, Rallied back the flying, Ended sin and sighing. Alleluia! THREE SHIPS. I saw three ships come sailing in, On Christmas day, on Christmas day; I saw three ships come sailing in, On Christmas day in the morning. And what was in those ships all three, On Christmas day, on Christmas day? And what was in those ships all three, On Christmas day in the morning? Our Saviour Christ and His lady, On Christmas day, on Christmas day; [Pg 20] [Pg 21] [Pg 22] Our Saviour Christ and His lady, On Christmas day in the morning. Pray whither sailed those ships all three, On Christmas day, on Christmas day? Pray whither sailed those ships all three, On Christmas day in the morning? O they sailed into Bethlehem, On Christmas day, on Christmas day, O they sailed into Bethlehem, On Christmas day in the morning. And all the bells on earth shall ring, On Christmas day, on Christmas day; And all the bells on earth shall ring, On Christmas day in the morning. And all the angels in heaven shall sing, On Christmas day, on Christmas day; And all the angels in heaven shall sing, On Christmas day in the morning. And all the souls on earth shall sing, On Christmas day, on Christmas day; And all the souls on earth shall sing, On Christmas day in the morning. Then let us all rejoice amain, On Christmas day, on Christmas day; Then let us all rejoice amain, On Christmas day in the morning. JACOB'S LADDER. As Jacob with travel was weary one day, At night on a stone for a pillow he lay; He saw in a vision a ladder so high That its foot was on earth and its top in the sky. Hallelujah to Jesus, who died on the tree, And hath rais'd up a ladder of mercy for me. This ladder is high, it is strong and well made, Hath stood hundreds of years and is not yet decayed; Many millions have climbed it and reached Zion's hill, And thousands, by faith, are climbing it still. Hallelujah, etc. Come, let us ascend, all may climb it who will, For the angels of Jacob are guarding it still; And remember each step that by faith we pass o'er, Some prophet or martyr hath trod it before. Hallelujah, etc. And when we arrive at the haven of rest, We shall hear the glad word: Come up hither, ye blest! Here are regions of light, here are mansions of bliss, Oh, who would not climb such a ladder as this? Hallelujah, etc. SAINT STEPHEN, THE CLERK. [Pg 23] [Pg 24] [Pg 25] [Pg 26] Saint Stephen was a clerk In King Herod's hall, And servéd him of bread and cloth As ever king befall. Stephen out of kitchen came With boar's head on hand, He saw a star was fair and bright Over Bethlehem stand. He kist adown the boar's head And went into the hall: "I forsake thee, King Herod, And thy workés all. "I forsake thee, King Herod, And thy workés all; There is a child in Bethlehem born Is better than we all." "What aileth thee, Stephen? What is thee befall? Lacketh thee either meat or drink In King Herod's hall?" "Lacketh me neither meat ne drink In King Herod's hall; There is a child in Bethlehem born Is better than we all." "What aileth thee, Stephen? Art thou wode,[I] or thou ginnest to breed?[J] Lacketh thee either gold or fee, Or any rich weed?"[K] "Lacketh me neither gold nor fee, Ne none rich weed; There is a child in Bethlehem born Shall helpen us at our need." "That is also sooth,[L] Stephen, Also sooth i-wis As this capon crowé shall That lieth here in my dish." That word was not so soon said, That word in that hall, The capon crew Christus natus est Among the lordés all. "Riseth up, my tormentors, By two and all by one, And leadeth Stephen out of this town, And stoneth him with stone." Tooken they Stephen And stoned him in the way, And therefore is his even On Christés own day. FOOTNOTES: Mad. Scold. [Pg 27] [Pg 28] [I] [J] Dress. As true. THE CARNAL AND THE CRANE. As I pass'd by a riverside, And there as I did reign,[M] In argument I chanced to hear A Carnal[N] and a Crane. The Carnal said unto the Crane, If all the world should turn, Before we had the Father, But now we have the Son! From whence does the Son come? From where and from what place? He said, In a manger, Between an ox and ass! I pray thee, said the Carnal, Tell me before thou go, Was not the mother of Jesus Conceived by the Holy Ghost? She was the purest Virgin, And the cleanest from sin; She was the handmaid of our Lord, And mother of our King. Where is the golden cradle That Christ was rockéd in? Where are the silken sheets That Jesus was wrapt in? A manger was the cradle That Christ was rockéd in; The provender the asses left So sweetly He slept on. There was a star in the West-land, So bright did it appear Into King Herod's chamber, And where King Herod were. The Wise Men soon espied it, And told the king on high, A princely babe was born that night No king could e'er destroy. If this be true, King Herod said, As thou tellest unto me, This roasted cock that lies in the dish Shall crow full fences[O] three. The cock soon freshly feathered was By the work of God's own hand, And then three fences crowéd he In the dish where he did stand. Rise up, rise up, you merry men all, See that you ready be, All children under two years old Now slain they all shall be. [K] [L] [Pg 29] [Pg 30] [Pg 31] Then Jesus, ah! and Joseph, And Mary that was so pure, They travelled into Egypt, As you shall find it sure. And when they came to Egypt's land, Amongst those fierce wild beasts, Mary, she being weary, Must needs sit down to rest. Come sit thee down, says Jesus, Come sit thee down by me, And thou shalt see how these wild beasts Do come and worship me. First came the lovely lion, Which Jesu's grace did spring, And of the wild beasts in the field, The lion shall be the king. We'll choose our virtuous princes, Of birth and high degree, In every sundry nation, Where'er we come and see. Then Jesus, ah! and Joseph, And Mary, that was unknown, They travelled by a husbandman, Just while his seed was sown. God speed thee, man! said Jesus, Go fetch thy ox and wain, And carry home thy corn again Which thou this day hast sown. The husbandman fell on his knees, Even before his face; Long time hast Thou been looked for, But now Thou art come at last. And I myself do now believe Thy name is Jesus called; Redeemer of mankind Thou art, Though undeserving all. The truth, man, thou hast spoken, Of it thou may'st be sure, For I must lose my precious blood For thee and thousands more. If any one should come this way, And inquire for me alone, Tell them that Jesus passed by, As thou thy seed did sow. After that there came King Herod, With his train so furiously, Inquiring of the husbandman, Whether Jesus passed by. Why, the truth it must be spoke, And the truth it must be known, For Jesus passéd by this way When my seed was sown. But now I have it reapen, And some laid on my wain, Ready to fetch and carry [Pg 32] [Pg 33] Into my barn again. Turn back, says the captain, Your labor and mine's in vain, It's full three-quarters of a year Since he his seed sown. So Herod was deceivéd By the work of God's own hand, And further he proceeded Into the Holy Land. There's thousands of children young, Which for His sake did die; Do not forbid those little ones, And do not them deny. The truth now I have spoken, And the truth now I have shown, Even the blessed Virgin, She's now brought forth a Son. FOOTNOTES: Run. Crow. Rounds. THE HOLY WELL. As it fell out one May morning, And upon one bright holiday, Sweet Jesus asked of His dear mother, If He might go to play. To play, to play, sweet Jesus shall go, And to play pray get you gone; And let me hear of no complaint At night when you come home. Sweet Jesus went down to yonder town As far as the Holy Well, And there did see as fine children As any tongue can tell. He said, God bless you every one, And your bodies Christ save and see: Little children, shall I play with you, And you shall play with me? But they made answer to Him, No: They were lords' and ladies' sons; And He, the meanest of them all, Was but a maiden's child, born in an ox's stall. Sweet Jesus turned Him around, And He neither laughed nor smiled, But the tears came trickling from His eyes Like water from the skies. Sweet Jesus turned Him about, [Pg 34] [M] [N] [O] [Pg 35] [Pg 36]