Speaker 1: Old Christmas returned. All you that to feasting and mirth
are inclined, Come, here's good news for to pleasure your mind.
Old Christmas is come for to keep open house. He
scorns to be guilty of starving a mouse. Then come boys,
and welcome for diet the chief plum pudding, goose capon,
minced pies and roast beef. A long time together he
hath been forgot. They scarce could afford for to hang
on the pot. Such miserly sneaking in England hath been
as by our forefathers, ne'er used to be seen. But
now he's returned. You shall have, in brief plum pudding,
goose capon, minced pies and roast beef. The times where
ne'er good sense Old Christmas was fled, and all hospitality
hath been so dead. No mirth at our festivals late
did appear. They scarcely would part with a cup of March.
But now you shall have, for the ease of your grief,
plum pudding, goose capon, minced pies and roast beef. The
butler and baker, they now may be glad the times
they are mended, though they have been bad the brewer,
he likewise may be of good cheer. He shall have
good trading for ale and strong beer. All trade shall
be jolly and have for relief plum pudding, goose capon,
minced pies and roast beef. The holly and ivy about
the walls wind and show that we ought to our
neighbors be kind, inviting each other for pastime and sport.
And where we best fare, there we most do resort.
We fail not for victuals, and that of the chief
plum pudding, goose capon, minced pies and roast beef. The
cook shall be busied by day and by night, and
roasting and boiling for taste and delight their senses, and
liquor that's nappy they'll steep. Though they be afforded to
have little sleep, they still are employed for to dress
us in brief plum putting goose capon, minced pies and
roast beef. Although the cold weather doth hunger provoke, tis
a comfort to see how the chimneys do smoke. Provision
is making for beer, ale and wine. For all that
are willing or ready to dine. Then haste to the
kitchen for diet the chief plum pudding, goose capon, minced
pies and roast beef. All travelers, as they do pass
on their way at gentlemen's halls, are invited to stay
themselves to refresh, and their horses to rest, Since that
he must the old Christmas guest. Nay, the poor shall
not want, but have for relief plum putting goose capon,
minced pies and roast beef. Now mack Beggar Hall, it
no more shall stand empty, but all shall be furnished
with freedom and plenty. The hoarding old misers, who used
to preserve the gold in their coffers and see the
poor starve, must now spread their tables and give them
in brief plum putting goose capon, minced pies and roast beef.
The court and the city and country are glad. Old
Christmases come to cheer up the sad. Broad pieces and
guineas about now shall fly and hundreds be losers by
cogging a die, whilst others are feasting with diet the
chief plum putting goose capon, minced pies and roast beef.
Those that have no coin at the cards for to play,
may sit by the fire, and pass time away, and
drink of their moisture contented and free. My honor, good fellow,
come here is to thee, And when they are hungry,
full to their relief plum pudding, goose capon, mince pies
and roast beef. Young gallants and ladies shall foot it
along each room in the house, to the music shall throng,
whilst jolly carouses about. They shall pass in each country
Swain trip about with his lass. Meantime goes the caterer
to fetch in the chief plum pudding, goose capon, minced pies,
and roast beef. The cooks and the scullion who toil
in their frocks, their hopes do depend upon their Christmas box.
There are very few that do live on the earth
but enjoy it this time, either profit or mirth. Yea
those that are charged to find all relief plum pudding,
goose capon, minced pies, and roast beef. Then well may
we welcome Old Christmas to town, who brings us good
cheer and good liquor, so brown to pass the cold
winter away with delight. We feast it all day, and
we frolic all night, both hunger and cold we keep
out with relief plum pudding, goose capon, minced pies and
roast beef. Then let all curmudgeons, who dote on their
wealth and value their treasure much more than their health
go hang themselves up if they will be so kind,
Old Christmas with them, But small welcome shall find they
will not afford to themselves without grief. Plum pudding, goose capon,
minced pies and roast beef. End of Old Christmas Return
by Henry Visitelli