In the selection of Carols, I have tried to vary them in age, style, and subject, as far as the materials would permit, without making it too long; and trust that I may, throughout this work, have succeeded in my endeavour to gratify, and not to satiate my readers. I have to express my thanks to Mr. James Stephanoff, for the interest he has taken in the subjects entrusted to his pencil, and the skill and spirit with which he has treated them. The design for the binding has been given by my brother, Mr. Sampson Sandys; and from the well-known zeal and ability of the publisher and printer, I am placed in this awkward predicament, that any failure must rest with myself; and I am fully aware that it can be no excuse, that the work was undertaken as a relief, from the pressure of repeated domestic losses of the severest nature: but I can unaffectedly say, “If I have done well, and as is fitting the story, it is that which I desired; but, if slenderly and meanly, it is that which I could attain unto.” [Illustration] [Illustration] Carols. I. SEIGNORS, ore entendez à nus, De loinz sumes venuz à vous, Pur quere noël; Car l’em nus dit que en cest hostel, Soleit tenir sa feste anuel, Ahi, cest jur. Deu doint à tuz icels joie d’amurs, Qui à danz noël ferunt honors! Seignors, jo vus dis por veir, Ke danz noël ne velt aveir, Si joie non; E repleni sa maison, De payn, de char, e de peison, Por faire honor. Deu doint à tuz ces joie d’amur! Seignors, il est crié en l’ost, Que cil qui despent bien, e tost, E largement; E fet les granz honors sovent, Deu li duble quanque il despent, Por faire honor. Deu doint à.... Seignors, escriez les malveis, Car vuz nel les troverez jameis De bone part; Botun, batun, ferun, groinard, Car tot dis a le quer cunard, Por faire honor. Deu doint.... Noël beyt bien li vin Engleis, E li Gascoin, e li Franceys, E l’Angevin; Noël fait beivere son veisin, Si qu’il se dort, le chief enclin, Sovent le jor. Deu doint à tuz cels.... Seignors, jo vus di par noël, E par li sires de cest hostel, Car bevez ben; E jo primes beverai le men, E pois après chescon le soen, Par mon conseil; Si jo vus di trestoz; ‘Wesseyl!’ Dehaiz eit qui ne dirra, ‘Drincheyl!’ [Illustration] II. LORDINGS, from a distant home, To seek old Christmas we are come, Who loves our minstrelsy: And here, unless report mis-say, The grey-beard dwells, and on this day, Keeps yearly wassel, ever gay, With festive mirth and glee. To all who honour Christmas, and commend our lays, Love will his blessings send, and crown with joy their days.