What are they that are but six? Six ages this world shall last, Five of them are gone and past. And in those, &c. What are they that are but seven? Seven days in the week have we, Six to work and the seventh holy. And in those, &c. What are they that are but eight? Eight beatitudes are given, Use them well and go to Heaven. And in those, &c. What are they that are but nine? Nine degrees of angels high, Which praise God continually. And in those, &c. What are they that are but ten? Ten commandments God hath given, Keep them right and go to Heaven. And in those, &c. What are they that are but eleven? Eleven thousand virgins did partake, And suffered death for Jesus’ sake. And in those, &c. What are they that are but twelve? Twelve apostles Christ did chuse, To preach the Gospel to the Jews. And in those, &c. [Illustration] XIX. JOSEPH was an old man, and an old man was he, When he wedded Mary, in the land of Galilee; When Joseph and Mary walked in the garden good, There was cherries and berries as red as the blood. O then bespoke Mary, so meek and so mild, Pluck me some cherries, Joseph, for I am with child; O then bespoke Joseph, with words so unkind, Let him pluck the cherries that brought thee with child. O then bespoke Jesus in his mother’s womb, Bow down then the tallest tree, that my mother may have some; Then bowed down the tallest tree, it bent to Mary’s hand, Then she cried, See, Joseph, I have cherries at command. O then bespoke Joseph, I have done Mary wrong, But cheer up, my dearest, and be not cast down; Then Joseph and Mary did to Bethlehem go, And with travels were weary walking to and fro. They sought for a lodging, but the inns were fill’d all, They, alas! could not have it, but in an ox’s stall; But before the next morning our Saviour was born, In the month of December, Christmas Day in the morn. [Illustration] XX. A CHILD this day is born, A child of high renown, Most worthy of a sceptre, A sceptre and a crown. Novels, novels, novels, Novels, sing all we may, Because the King of all kings Was born this blessed day. The which the holy prophets Spake of long time before, That from the fall of Adam He should us all restore. Novels, &c. This child, both God and man, From Heaven down to us came, He is the King of all kings, And Jesus is his name Novels, &c. These tidings shepherds heard, In field watching their fold, Were by an angel unto them, That night reveal’d and told. Novels, &c.