Then came the merry masquers in,

And carols roar'd with blithesome din ;
If unmelodious was the song,

It was a hearty note, and strong,-
Who lists may in their mumming see
Traces of ancient mystery.

White shirts supplied the masquerade,
And smutted cheeks the visors made;
But, oh! what masquers, richly dight,
Can boast of bosoms half so light!
England was merry England, when
Old Christmas brought his sports again.
'Twas Christmas broach'd the mightiest ale;
'Twas Christmas told the merriest tale ;

A Christmas gambol oft could cheer

The poor man's heart through half the year.

Scott.

CHRISTMAS TIME.

LAD Christmas comes, and every hearth

Makes room to give him welcome now;

E'en want will dry its tears in mirth,
And crown him with a holly bough.
Though tramping 'neath a winter sky,
O'er snowy paths and rimy stiles,
The housewife sets her spinning by,

To bid him welcome with her smiles.

Each house is swept the day before,

And windows stuck with evergreens;

The snow is besomed from the door,

And comfort crowns the cottage scenes.

Gilt holly with its thorny pricks,

And yew, and box, with berries small,

These deck the unused candlesticks,
And pictures hanging by the wall.

Neighbours resume their annual cheer, Wishing, with smiles and spirits high, Glad Christmas and a happy year

To every morning passer-by; Milkmaids their Christmas journeys go, Accompanied by a favour'd swain ; And children pace the crumpling snow, To taste their granny's cake again.

The shepherd now no more afraid,

Since custom doth the chance bestow,

Starts up to kiss the giggling maid

Beneath the branch of mistletoe,

That 'neath each cottage beam is seen,
With pearl-like berries shining gay;
The shadow still of what hath been,
Which fashion yearly fades away.

The singing waits-a merry throng—
At early morn, with simple skill,

Yet imitate the angel's song,

And chaunt their Christmas ditty still; And, 'mid the storm that dies and swells By fits, in hummings softly steals The music of the village bells,

Ringing around their merry peals.

When this is past, a merry crew,

Bedeck'd in masks and ribbons gay, The Morris Dance their sports renew, And act their winter evening play. The clown turn'd king, for penny praise,

Storms with the actor's strut and swell,