Though you are but a maiden’s child, Born in an ox’s stall, Thou art the Christ, the King of Heaven, And the Saviour of them all. Sweet Jesus go down to yonder town, As far as the Holy Well, And take away those sinful souls And dip them deep in hell. Nay, nay, sweet Jesus said, Nay, nay, that may not be, For there are too many sinful souls Crying out for the help of me. O then spoke the angel Gabriel, Upon one good Saint Stephen, Altho’ you’re but a maiden’s child, You are the King of Heaven. XXIII. A VIRGIN most pure as the prophets do tell, Hath brought forth a babe, as it hath befell, To be our Redeemer from death, hell, and sin, Which Adam’s transgression had wrapt us all in. Rejoice and be you merry, set sorrow aside, Christ Jesus our Saviour was born on this tide. In Bethlehem city, in Jury it was, Where Joseph and Mary together did pass, And there to be taxed with many one more, For Cæsar commanded the same should be so. Rejoice, &c. But when they had entered the city so far, The number of people so mighty was there, That Joseph and Mary whose substance was small, Could get in the city no lodging at all. Rejoice, &c. Then they were constrained in a stable to lie, Where oxen and asses they used to tie; Their lodging so simple, they held it no scorn, But against the next morning our Saviour was born. Rejoice, &c. The King of all Glory to the world being brought, Small store of fine linen to wrap him was bought; When Mary had swaddled her young son so sweet, Within an ox manger, she laid him to sleep. Rejoice, &c. Then God sent an angel from heaven so high, To certain poor shepherds in fields where they lie, And bid them no longer in sorrow to stay, Because that our Saviour was born on this day. Rejoice, &c. Then presently after the shepherds did spy A number of angels appear in the sky, Who joyfully talked and sweetly did sing, To God be all glory, our Heavenly King. Rejoice, &c. Three certain wise princes, they thought it most meet, To lay their rich offerings at our Saviour’s feet; Then the shepherds consented and to Bethlehem did go, And when they came thither, they found it was so. Rejoice, &c. [Illustration] XXIV. GOD rest you, merry gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay, For Jesus Christ our Saviour Was born upon this day, To save us all from Satan’s power When we were gone astray. O tidings of comfort and joy, For Jesus Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas Day.