Page:Our American Holidays - Christmas.djvu/234

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
206
CHRISTMAS

lehem nineteen hundred years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love? Then you can keep Christmas,

And if you keep it for a day, why not always?

But you can never keep it alone.

—————

MARK WELL MY HEAVY DOLEFUL TALE

ANONYMOUS

Mark well my heavy doleful tale,
   For Twelfth-day now is come,
And now I must no longer sing,
   And say no words but mum;
For I perforce must take my leave
   Of all my dainty cheer,
Plum-porridge, roast beef, and minced pies,
   My strong ale and my beer.

Kind-hearted Christmas, now adieu,
   For I with thee must part,
And for to take my leave of thee
   Doth grieve me at the heart;
Thou wert an ancient housekeeper,
   And mirth with meat didst keep,
But thou art going out of town.
   Which makes me for to weep.

God knoweth whether I again
   Thy merry face shall see,