At early day the youthful voice, Heard singing on from door to door, To know the children of the poor The burthen still remote or near, "Old Christmas comes but once a year." Upon a gayer, happier scene Never did holly-berries peer, Or ivy throw its trailing green On brighter forms than there are here; Nor Christmas in his old arm-chair Smile upon lips and brows more fair : Then let us sing amid our cheer, "Old Christmas still comes once a year." Miller. CHRISTMAS IN THE OLDEN TIME. HEAP on more wood!-the wind is chill; But let it whistle as it will, We'll keep our Christmas merry still. The fittest time for festal cheer; And well our Christian sires of old Loved when the year its course had roll'd, And brought blithe Christmas back again, With all his hospitable train. Domestic and religious rite Gave honour to the holy night: The damsel donn'd her kirtle sheen; And Ceremony doff'd his pride. The vulgar game of "post and pair." And general voice, the happy night, By old blue-coated serving-man ; Then the grim boar's head frown'd on high, Well can the green-garbed ranger tell, The wassail round, in good brown bowls, |