A CHRISTMAS CAROL.

The following carol has not, I believe, been printed in any of the modern collections; certainly it is not in those of Mr. Sandys and Mr. Wright. It is copied from Ad. MS. Brit. Mus. 15,225, a manuscript of the time of James I. It may, perhaps, bethought appropriate for insertion in your Christmas number. I have modernised the orthography.

A CAROL FOR CHRISTMAS-DAY.

Rejoice, rejoice, with heart and voice,

For Christ his birth this day rejoice.

From Virgin's womb to us this day did spring

The precious seed that only saved man;

This day let man rejoice and sweetly sing,

Since on this day salvation first began.

This day did Christ man's soul from death remove,

With glorious saints to dwell in heaven above.

This day to man came pledge of perfect peace,

This day to man came love and unity,

This day man's grief began for to surcease,

This day did man receive a remedy

For each offence, and every deadly sin,

With guilt of heart that erst he wander'd in.

In Christ his flock let love be surely placed,

From Christ his flock let concord hate expel,

In Christ his flock let love be so embraced,

As we in Christ, and Christ in us, may dwell.

Christ is the author of all unity,

From whence proceedeth all felicity.

O sing unto this glittering glorious King,

And praise His name let every living thing;

Let heart and voice, let bells of silver, ring,

The comfort that this day to us did bring;

Let lute, let shawm, with sound of sweet delight,

The joy of Christ his birth this day recite.

Buon. Eric.