Page:The Cambridge Carol Book.djvu/26



Lady sat within her bow'r, And sweetly sang from hour to hour, La-lul-la-lu: ''Ho! rest thee, my Bairn, and my God thereto;'' La-lul-la, Babe Jesu!

In reverent wise, with holy hands, She wrapt the Child in swathing bands.

But, as she sung the glad refrain, Her tears gan trickle fast as rain.

A wonder sight it was to see How Mary rockt Him on her knee,

And bade Him rest, and stint His weep, Who giveth His belovèd sleep.

, how hard it bloweth, The nor'-nor'-eastern gale! Outside, how fast it snoweth! 'Twill freeze the milk in pail. Ay me! how dark the night! Nay, e'en when day do lengthen, (Men say) the cold will strengthen, Ere summer draw in sight.

Indoors, meanwhile 'tis merry: Men trim the house with spray Of rud red holly berry, Or green-leaf of the bay. To curb the winter cold, The spit is set a-turning; The Yule block too is burning, As in the days of old.