Close thine eyelids, O my treasure, Loved past measure, Of my soul, the Lord, the pleasure; Lullaby, O regal Child, On the hay My joy I lay; Love celestial, meek and mild. Why dost weep, my Babe? alas! Cold winds that pass Vex, or is't the little ass? Lullaby, O Paradise; Of my heart Thou Saviour art; On thy face I press a kiss."{20} (Translation by Countess Martinengo-Cesaresco.) [28] A Bas-Quercy bird-carol of this kind is printed by Mr. H. J. L. J. Masse in his delightful "Book of Old Carols,"{26} a collection of the words and music of Christmas songs in many languages--English, Latin, German, Flemish, Basque, Swedish, Catalan, Provencal, and French of various periods and dialects. [29] "I come from heaven to tell The best nowells that ever befell; To you thir tidings true I bring, And I will of them say and sing. This day to you is born ane child, Of Mary meek and virgin mild, That blessed bairn, benign and kind, Sall you rejoice, baith heart and mind. My soul and life, stand up and see What lies in ane crib of tree [wood]. What Babe is that, so gude and fair? It is Christ, Goddis Son and Heir. O God! that made all creature, How art Thou now become so puir, That on the hay and stray will lie, Among the asses, oxen, and kye? O, my dear heart, young Jesus sweet, Prepare Thy cradle in my spreit, And I sall rock Thee in my heart, And never mair from Thee depart But I sall praise Thee ever moir, With sangis sweet unto Thy gloir; The knees of my heart sall I bow, And sing that richt Balulalow."{30} [30] "Now blessed be Thou, Christ Jesu, Thou art man born, this is true; The angels made a merry noise, Yet have we more cause to rejoice, _Kirieleyson_. The blessed Son of God only, In a crib full poor did lie, With our poor flesh and our poor blood, Was clothed that everlasting Good. _Kirieleyson._ He that made heaven and earth of nought, In our flesh hath our health brought, For our sake made He Himself full small, That reigneth Lord and King over all. _Kirieleyson._"{32} [31] "All my heart this night rejoices, As I hear, Far and near, Sweetest angel voices; 'Christ is born,' their choirs are singing, Till the air Everywhere Now with joy is ringing.