hely joke!'--
Cry the mummers ere they begin.

Then, plough-boy Jack, in kirtle gay,--
Though shod with clouted shoon,--
Stands forth the wilful maid to play
Who ever saith to her lover, 'Nay'--
When he sues for a lover's boon.

While Hob the smith with sturdy arm
Circleth the feigned maid;
And, spite of Jack's assumed alarm,
Busseth his lips, like a lover warm,
And will not 'Nay' be said

Then loffe the gossips, as if wit
Were mingled with the joke:
Gentles,--they were with folly smit,--
Natheless, their memories acquit
Of crime--these simple folk!

No harmful thoughts their revels blight,--
Devoid of bitter hate and spite,
They hold their merriment;--
And, till the chimes tell noon at night,
Their joy shall be unspent!

Come haste ye to bold Thorold's hall,
And crowd his kitchen wide;
For there, he saith, both free and thrall
Shall sport this good Yule-tide."

In subsequent verses the writer depicts the bringing in of the yule
log to the Baron's Hall,

"Where its brave old heart
A glow shall impart
To the heart of each guest at the festival.

* * * * *

They pile the Yule-log on the hearth,--
Soak toasted crabs in ale;
And while they sip, their homely mirth
Is joyous as if all the earth
For man were void of bale!

And why should fears for future years,
Mix jolly ale with thoughts of tears
When in the horn 'tis poured?
And why should ghost of sorrow fright
The bold heart of an English knight
When beef is on the board?

De Thorold's guests are wiser than
The men of mopish lore;
For round they push the smiling can
And slice the plattered store.

And round they thrust the ponderous cheese,
And the loaves of wheat and rye;
None stinteth him for lack of ease--
For each a stintless welcome sees
In the Baron's blythesome eye.

The Baron joineth the joyous feast--
But not in pomp or pride;
He smileth on the humblest guest
So gladsomely--all feel that rest
Of heart which doth abide
Where deeds of generousness attest
The welcome of the tongue professed
Is not within belied."

* * * * *

In subsequent verses a stranger minstrel appears on the festive scene,
and tells his tale of love in song, acquitting himself

"So rare and gentle, that the hall
Rings with applause which o