Then, Lord, for thy great grace Grant us in bliss to see thy face When we may sing to thee solace, _In excelsis gloria._ 11. BE WE MERRY IN THIS FEAST _Be we merry in this feast,_ _In quo Salvator natus est._ In Bethlehem that noble place, As by prophecy said it was, Of the Virgin Mary full of grace, Salvator mundi natus est. _Be we merry, &c._ On Christmas night an angel it told To the shepherds, keeping their fold, That into Bethlehem with beastës wold,[25] Salvator mundi natus est. _Be we merry, &c._ The shepherds were compassèd right, About them was a full great light; ‘Dread ye nought’, said the angel bright, ‘Salvator mundi natus est.’ _Be we merry, &c._ ‘Behold to you we bring great joy; For why[26] Jesus is born this day, To us, of Mary, that mild may,[27] Salvator mundi natus est.’ _Be we merry &c._ And thus in faith find it ye shall, Lying poorly in an oxes-stall. The shepherds then God lauded all, Quia Salvator mundi natus est. _Be we merry &c._ [25] Would go. [26] Because. [27] Maid. 12. MAN, BE MERRY AS BIRD ON BERRY _Man, be merry as bird on berry_ _And all thy care let away._ This time is born a child full good, He that us bought upon the rood; He bound the devil that is so wood, Till the dreadful doomës-day. When the child of mickle might Would be born of Mary bright, A token he sent to king and knight, A star that shone both night and day. The star shone as bright as fire, Over all the world both far and near, In token He was without peer; And peerless he shall lasten ay. The xii day come kingës three Out of the east, with heartë free; To worship Him they kneeled on knee With gold and myrrh and frankincense. 13. ALL THIS TIME THIS SONG IS BEST _All this time this song is best:_ _Verbum caro factum est!_ This night there is a child born That sprang out of Jesse’s thorn; We must sing and say thereforn _Verbum caro factum est!_ Jesus is the childës name And Mary mild is his dame; All our sorrow shall turn to game, _Verbum caro factum est._ It fell upon high midnight, The stars shone both fair and bright, The angels sang with all their might _Verbum caro factum est._ Now kneel we down on our knee, And pray we to the Trinity, Our help, our succour for to be! _Verbum caro factum est._ 14. MATER, ORA FILIUM _Mater, ora filium_ _ut post hoc exilium_ _nobis donet gaudium_ _beatorum omnium!_ Fair maiden, who is this bairn That thou bearest in thine arm? Sir, it is a Kingës Son, That in heaven above doth wone.[28] _Mater, ora, &c._