said the first shepherd.

“Lo, He merry is;

Lo, He laughs, my sweeting,

A welcome meeting!

I have given my greeting,

Have a bob of cherries?”

Then in the same homely, delightful way, the second shepherd greeted the Baby:

“Hail, Sovereign Saviour, for Thou hast us sought!

Hail! I kneel and I cower.... A bird have I brought

To my bairn.