Christmas Poem by Scott

Christmas

by Scott

And well our Christian sires of old

Loved when the year its course had rolled,

And brought blithe Christmas back again,

With all his hospitable train,

Domestic and religious rite

Gave honor to the holy night;

On Christmas eve the mass was sung;

That only night in all the year

Saw the stoled priest the calice rear.

The damsel donned her kirtle sheen;

The hall was dressed in holly green.

Forth to the wood did merry men go

To gather in the mistletoe.

Then opened wide the baron's hall,

To vassal, tenant, serf and all;

Power laid his rod of rule aside,

And ceremony doffed his pride.

The heir with roses in his shoes

That night might village partner choose.

The lord under a gating share

The merry game of "Post and pair."

All hailed with uncontrolled delight

And generous voice the happy night,

That to the cottage and the crown 

Brought tidings of salvation down.