Charles Dickens and other Victorians

by Arthur Quiller-Couch

Or

Now that the time is come wherein

Our Saviour Christ was born,

The larders full of beef and pork,

The garners fill’d with corn....

Or

Bring us in good ale, and bring us in good ale;

For our blessed Lady’s sake, bring us in good ale.

These out of a score or more verses I might quote from Poor Robin’s Almanack and the like. But take Campion’s more aristocratic Muse:

Now winter nights enlarge