The singing waits a merry throng
At early morn with simple skill
Yet imitate the angels song,
& chant their Christmas ditty still
& mid the storm that dies & swells
By fits in hummings softly steals
The music of the village bells
Ringing round their merry peals
When this is past a merry crew,
Bedeck'd in masks & ribbons gay
The ‘Morris-dance’ their sports renew
& act their winter evening play
The clown turn'd king for penny-praise
Storms with the actors strut and swell
& Harlequin a laugh to raise
Wears his hunchback & tinkling bell
By fits in hummings softly steals
The music of the village bells
Ringing round their merry peals
When this is past a merry crew,
Bedeck'd in masks & ribbons gay
The ‘Morris-dance’ their sports renew
& act their winter evening play
The clown turn'd king for penny-praise
Storms with the actors strut and swell
& Harlequin a laugh to raise
Wears his hunchback & tinkling bell
(lines 33 - 48)
'December'
The Shepherd's Calendar (1827)
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