ong.
Who lists may in their mumming see
Traces of ancient mystery;[359-28]
White shirts supplied the masquerade,
And smutted cheeks the visors made;--[359-29]
But, O! what maskers, richly dight,
Can boast of bosoms, half so light![359-30]
England was merry England, when
Old Christmas brought his sports again.
'Twas Christmas broach'd the mightiest ale;
'Twas Christmas told the merriest tale;
A Christmas gambol oft could cheer
The poor man's heart through half the year.

[Illustration]

FOOTNOTES:

[356-1] Is there a stove or a fireplace in the room where the poet sees
Christmas kept?

[356-2] What is cheer? What is festal cheer?

[356-3] What is a "train"? How could it be called a hospitable train?
Whose train was it?

[356-4] What is a rite?

[356-5] What bells were rung?

[356-6] What is a mass?

[356-7] What is a _stoled_ priest? What is a chalice? What did the
priest do when he reared the chalice?

[356-8] The kirtle was a dress-skirt or outer petticoat. _Sheen_ means
_gay_ or _bright_.

[357-9] What is mistletoe? Is there anything peculiar in its habits of
growth? What did they want of it? What custom is still said to follow
the use of mistletoe at Christmastime?

[357-10] A vassal was one of the followers of the baron and paid for
protection or for lands he held by fighting in the baron's troops or
rendering some other service.

[357-11] A tenant held lands or houses, for which he paid some form of
rent.

[357-12] A serf was a slave.

[357-13] At Christmastime even the powerful were willing to cease from
ruling and join with the common people.

[357-14] Instead of grand ceremonies, everybody joined in simple
amusements, without pride or prejudice.

[357-15] Who was the heir? What was he heir to? Why did he have roses in
his shoes?

[357-16] Was he permitted to dance with village maidens at any other
time?

[357-17] Without losing any of his dignity.

[357-18] An old-fashioned game of cards.

[357-19] Who brought the tidings of Salvation? To whom was it brought?
Who was "the crown"?

[358-20] A lord was one who had power and authority, while a squire was
merely an attendant upon a lord.

[358-21] Brawn, in England, is a preparation of meat, generally sheep's
head, pig's head, hock of beef, or boar's meat, boiled and seasoned, and
run into jelly moulds.

[358-22] What are bays? What is rosemary? Why should the boar's head be
c