A Christmas Piece

: CELEBRATION

Of garnered rhyme, from hidden stores of olden time that since the

language did begin, have welcomed merry Christmas in, and made the

winter nights so long, fleet by on wings of wine and song; for when the

snow is on the roof, the house within is sorrow proof, if yule log

blazes on the hearth, and cups and hearts o'er-brim with mirth. Then

bring the wassail to the board, with nuts and fruit--the winter's hoard;

and bid the children take off shoe, to hang their stockings by the flue;

and let the clear and frosty sky, set out its brightest jewelry, to show

old Santa Claus the road, so he may ease his gimcrack load. And with the

coming of these times, we'll add some old and lusty rhymes, that suit

the festive season well, and sound as sweet as Christmas bell.



Now just bethink of castle gate, where humble midnight mummers wait, to

try if voices, one and all, can rouse the tipsy seneschal, to give them

bread and beer and brawn, for tidings of the Christmas morn; or bid each

yelper clear his throat, with water of the castle moat, for thus they

used, by snow and torch, to rear their voices at the porch:



_Fred S. Cozzens._