LABOUR'S REWARD. Pig, capon, turkey, goose, and coney, LABOUR'S REWARD. (From "Poor Robin's Almanack," 1728.) THE short cold days, and long cold nights, The people to the fire invites. Now happy they who furnished are, And did, in summer-time prepare For victuals, drink, and good hot fires, If geese and sheep with care were bred, If, at the proper time of year, You from the sheep the wool did shear And, if you afterwards begun, To have it carded, have it spun, And wove, and put upon your back, You'll be warm dressed when others lack. If you October beer did brew, You have the credit of it now, And pleasure of the drinking too. Provide good cheer, yourselves enjoy, CHRISTMAS PAST AND PRESENT. (From "Poor Robin's Almanack," 1739.) Now Christmas comes with frost and snow, When men do feast, or should do so; When lusty diet, and the bowl Should round about the table troll, And cooks prepare their poignant meat, To teach the palate how to eat, And every dish invite the sight To a new hungry appetite; The while musicians sing and play, With mirth to pass the time away. For mirth, being mixèd with our meat, But now the times are altered so, Men's hearts are, without more ado. poor, WASSAILER'S SONG. Whilst they are served with every dish WASSAILER'S SONG. (From Brand's "Popular Antiquities.") Wassail! Wassail! all over the town, Our toast it is white, our ale it is brown: Our bowl it is made of a maplin tree, We be good fellows all; I drink to thee. Here's to Dobbin, and to his right ear, God send our master a happy New Year; A happy New Year as e'er he did seeWith my Wassailing Bowl I drink to thee. 1 Here's to Smiler, and to his right eye, Here's to Fillpail, and to her long tail, Be here any maids? I suppose there be some- And the fairest maid in the house let us in. Come, butler, come bring us a bowl of the best : Then down may fall butler, and bowl, and all. CHRISTMAS IS A COMING. (From "Round about our Coal Fire,” 1734.) YOU merry, merry souls, Christmas is a coming; We shall have flowing bowls. Dancing, piping, drumming. Delicate minced pies, To feast every virgin; Brawn, and dish of sturgeon. |