—Lord Byron
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
As Joseph was a-walking,
He heard an angel sing,
"This night shall be the birth-time
Of Christ, the heavenly king.
"He neither shall be born
In housen nor in hall,
Nor in the place of paradise,
But in an ox's stall.
"He neither shall be clothed
In purple nor in pall,
But in the fair white linen
That usen babies all.
"He neither shall be rocked
In silver nor in gold,
But in a wooden manger
That resteth on the mould."
As Joseph was a-walking,
There did an angel sing,
And Mary's child at midnight
Was born to be our king.
Then be ye glad, good people,
This night of all the year,
And light ye up your candles,
For his star it shineth clear.
ON THE MORNING OF CHRIST'S NATIVITY
This is the month, and this the happy morn
Wherein the Son of heav'n's eternal king
Of wedded Maid, and Virgin Mother born,
Our great redemption from above did bring;
For so the holy sages once did sing,
That He our deadly forfeit should release,
And with His Father work us a perpetual peace.