Through the fifteenth century and the first half of the sixteenth, the flowering continued; and something like two hundred carols of this period are known. It is impossible to attempt here anything like representative quotation; I can only sketch in |49| roughest outline the main characteristics of English carol literature, and refer the reader for examples to Miss Edith Rickert's comprehensive collection, "Ancient English Carols, MCCCC-MDCC," or to the smaller but fine selection in Messrs. E. K. Chambers and F. Sidgwick's "Early English Lyrics." Many may have been the work of _goliards_ or wandering scholars, and a common feature is the interweaving of Latin with English words. Some, like the exquisite "I sing of a maiden that is makeles,"{29} are rather songs to or about the Virgin than strictly Christmas carols; the Annunciation rather than the Nativity is their theme. Others again tell the whole story of Christ's life. The feudal idea is strong in such lines as these:-- "Mary is quene of alle thinge, And her sone a lovely kinge. God graunt us alle good endinge! _Regnat dei gracia_."{30} On the whole, in spite of some mystical exceptions, the mediaeval English carol is somewhat external in its religion; there is little deep individual feeling; the caroller sings as a member of the human race, whose curse is done away, whose nature is exalted by the Incarnation, rather than as one whose soul is athirst for God:-- "Now man is brighter than the sonne; Now man in heven an hie shall wonne; Blessed be God this game is begonne And his moder emperesse of helle."{31} Salvation is rather an objective external thing than an inward and spiritual process. A man has but to pray devoutly to the dear Mother and Child, and they will bring him to the heavenly court. It is not so much personal sin as an evil influence in humanity, that is cured by the great event of Christmas:-- "It was dark, it was dim, For men that leved in gret sin; Lucifer was all within, Till on the Cristmes day. |50| There was weping, there was wo, For every man to hell gan go. It was litel mery tho, Till on the Cristmes day."{32} But now that Christ is born, and man redeemed, one may be blithe indeed:-- "Jhesus is that childes name, Maide and moder is his dame, And so oure sorow is turned to game. _Gloria tibi domine._ * * * * * Now sitte we downe upon our knee, And pray that child that is so free; And with gode herte now sing we _Gloria tibi domine_."{33} Sometimes the religious spirit almost vanishes, and the carol becomes little more than a gay pastoral song:-- "The shepard upon a hill he satt; He had on him his tabard and his hat, His tar-box, his pipe, and his flagat; His name was called Joly Joly Wat, For he was a gud herdes boy. Ut hoy! For in his pipe he made so much joy.