DECEMBER

BA. I pray thee don thy jerkin of olden time,

Bring us good ice, and silver the trees with rime;

And I will good cheer, good music and wine bestow,

When the Christmas guest comes galoping over the snow.


Thus they in verse alternate sang the year

For rabbit shy and listless ewe to hear,

Among the grey rocks on the mountain green

Beneath the sky in fair and pastoral scene,