Fifteenth Century Prose and Verse Part 15

The sixth branch by and by, It is the five joys of mild Mary!

Now Christ save all this company, _And send us good life and long!_

_Make me merry both more and less, For now is the time of Christymas!_

Let no man come into this hall, Groom, page, nor yet marshall, But that some sport he bring withal!

_For now is the time of Christmas!_

If that he say, he can not sing, Some other sport then let him bring!

That it may please at this feasting!

_For now is the time of Christmas!_

If he say he can naught do, Then for my love ask him no mo!

But to the stocks then let him go!

_For now is the time of Christmas!_

_Can I not sing but Hoy!

The jolly shepherd made so much joy!_

The shepherd upon a hill he sat, He had on him his tabard and his hat, His tarbox, his pipe, and his flagat, His name was called Jolly, Jolly Wat!

For he was a good herds-boy, Ut hoy!

For in his pipe he made so much joy.

_Can I not sing but hoy._

The shepherd upon a hill was laid, His dog to his girdle was tayd, He had not slept but a little braid But "gloria in excelsis" was to him said Ut hoy!

For in his pipe he made so much joy!

_Can I not sing, etc._

The shepherd on a hill he stood, Round about him his sheep they yode, He put his hand under his hood, He saw a star as red as blood.

Ut hoy!

For in his pipe he made so much joy.

_Can I not sing, etc._

Now farewell Mall, and also Will, For my love go ye all still, Unto I come again you till, And ever more will ring well thy bell.

Ut hoy!

For in his pipe he made so much joy!

_Can I not sing, etc._

Now must I go there Christ was born, Farewell! I come again to-morn, Dog, keep well my sheep fro the corn!

And warn well Warroke when I blow my horn!

Ut hoy!

For in his pipe he made so much joy!

_Can I not sing, etc._

When Wat to Bethlehem come was, He sweat, he had gone faster than a pace, He found Jesus in a simple place, Between an ox and an a.s.s.

Ut hoy!

For in [his] pipe he made so much joy!

_Can I not sing, etc._

The shepherd said anon right: I will go see yon farly sight, Where as the angel singeth on height, And the star that s.h.i.+neth so bright!

Ut hoy!

For in [his] pipe he made so much joy!

_Can I not sing, etc._

Jesus, I offer to thee here my pipe, My skirt, my tarbox and my scrip, Home to my fellows now will I skip, And also look unto my sheep!

Ut hoy!

For in his pipe he made so much joy!

_Can I not sing, etc._

Now farewell, mine own herds-man Wat!

Yea, fore G.o.d, Lady, even so I hat!

Lull well Jesus in thy lap, And farewell Joseph, with thy round cap!

Ut hoy!

For in his pipe he made so much joy!

_Can I not sing, etc._

Now may I well both hope and sing, For I have been at Christ's bearing, Home to my fellows now will I fling, Christ of heaven to His bliss us bring!

Ut hoy!

For in his pipe he made so much joy!

_Can I not sing, etc._

_Now have good day, now have good day!

I am Christmas, and now I go my way!_

Here have I dwelt with more and less, From Hallow-tide till Candlemas!

And now must I from you hence pa.s.s, _Now have good day!_

I take my leave of King and Knight, And Earl, Baron, and lady bright!

To wilderness I must me dight!

_Now have good day!_

And at the good lord of this hall, I take my leave, and of guestes all!

Methinks I hear Lent doth call, _Now have good day!_

And at every worthy officer, Marshall, panter, and butler, I take my leave as for this year, _Now have good day!_

Another year I trust I shall Make merry in this hall!

If rest and peace in England may fall!

_Now have good day!_

But often times I have heard say, That he is loth to part away, That often biddeth "have good day!"

_Now have good day!_