“Come rejoicing,
Faithful men, with rapture singing
Alleluya!
Monarch's Monarch,
From a holy maiden springing,
Mighty wonder!
Angel of the Counsel here,
Sun from star, he doth appear,
Born of maiden:
He a sun who knows no night,
She a star whose paler light
Fadeth never.”
(Translation in “The English Hymnal,” No. 22.)
“Lords, by Christmas and the host
Of this mansion hear my toast—
Drink it well—
Each must drain his cup of wine,
And I the first will toss off mine:
Thus I advise.
Here then I bid you all Wassail,
Cursed be he who will not say, Drinkhail! ”
(Translation by F. Douce.)
[ [13] It is difficult to be sure of the authenticity of the verse attributed to Jacopone. Many of the poems in Tresatti's edition, from which the quotations in the text are taken, may be the work of his followers.
“Come and look upon her child
Nestling in the hay!
See his fair arms opened wide,
On her lap to play!
And she tucks him by her side,
Cloaks him as she may!
Gives her paps unto his mouth,
Where his lips are laid.