Some ingenious critic will probably discover that many of the verses in the
present collection are unworthy to take rank as “poems," and will accordingly
call the Editor to account for having in his selections departed from the strict
letter of the title of his work. Following numerous illustrious examples, the
Editor ventures to be the critic of his own performance -- to the extent of
pointing out the above inconsistency; stating, however, at the same time, that
every Song, Carol, or Descriptive piece in the present collection, which does
not merit the higher appellation of Poem, will be found to illustrate in some
way or other an interesting by-gone custom, or to describe some feature worth
preserving, connected with the Christmas celebrations of our ancestors. And
he feels that, if he could justify all his other shortcomings as readily as he can
the present one, he would be found to have performed his task in a far more
perfect manner than he can now venture to lay claim to.

CIIRISTMAS CAROLS FROM THE ANGLO-NORMAN PERIOD

TO TIIE TIME OF TIIE REFORMATION.

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Buar's Drad Caruls:-

I.--TIDINGS I BRING YOU FOR TO TELL
II.-The Boar's HEAD, THAT WE BRING HERE
III.-AT THE BEGINXING OF THE MEAT
IV.-The Boal's IIEAD IN HAND I BRING

V.-THE Boar's HEAD IN HAND BRING I
A CAROL OF HUNTING

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23

Carols in Praise of Ale:

I.-A BONE, GOD WOT!

II.-BRING US IN GOOD ALE
ALE MAKES MANY A MAN TO STICK AT A BREN

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Carols in Praise of the Bully and thje Jui:

I.-IIOLLY AND IVY MADE A GREAT PARTY II.-Nay, Ivy, NAY, IT SHALL NOT BE, I wis III.-IIERE COMES HOLLY, THAT IS SO GENT

IV.-Ivy, CHIEF OF TREES, IT IS supristitions regarding Christmas Dan:

I.-LORDINGS, ALL OF You I WARN
II.- IF CHRISTMAS DAY ON THE SUNDAY DE

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