Shepherds at the grange, Where the Babe was born, Sang with many a change, Christmas carols until morn. Let us, &c. These good people sang, Songs devout and sweet, While the rafters rang, There they stood with freezing feet. Let us, &c. Nuns in frigid cells, At this holy tide, For want of something else, Christmas songs at times have tried. Let us, &c. Washerwomen old, To the sound they beat, Sing by rivers cold, With uncovered heads and feet. Let us, &c. Who by the fireside stands, Stamps his feet and sings; But he who blows his hands, Not so gay a carol brings. Let us by the fire Ever higher Sing them till the night expire. [Illustration] A Mock Play. ACT I.—SCENE I. _Enter_ Alexander.—Alexander _speaks_. SILENCE, brave gentlemen; if you will give me an eye, _Alexander_ is my name, I’ll sing the Tragedy; A ramble here I took, the country for to see, Three actors here I’ve brought so far from _Italy_; The first I do present, he is a noble king, He’s just come from the wars, good tidings he doth bring; The next that doth come in, he is a docter good, Had it not been for him, I’d surely lost my blood: Old _Dives_ is the next, a miser you may see, Who, by lending of his gold, is come to poverty. So, gentlemen, you see four actors will go round; Stand off a little while, more pastime shall be found. [_Exeunt._ ACT I.—SCENE II. _Enter_ Actors. Room, room, brave gallants, give us room to sport, For in this room we have a mind to resort— Resort, and to repeat to you our merry rhyme, For remember, good sirs, this is _Christmas_ time; The time to cut up goose pies now doth appear, So we are come to act our merry mirth here: At the sounding of the trumpet, and beating of the drum, Make room, brave gentlemen, and let our actors come. We are the merry actors that traverses the street; We are the merry actors that fight for our meat; We are the merry actors that show the pleasant play: Step in, thou king of _Egypt_, and clear the way. _King of Egypt._ I am the king of _Egypt_, as plainly doth appear, And Prince _George_ he is my only son and heir: Step in, therefore, my son, and act thy part with me, And shew forth thy praise before the company.