Shakespeares Christmas Gift to Queen Bess | Page 6

next day, and the next, and the next? Did they foresee how its rhythm would dance down the ages and abide in these present days, and in this present speech of ours?
But this is something that I, your truthful reporter, cannot answer
[Illustration: A Dance of the Sixteenth Century
"A fortnight hold we this solemnity. In nightly revels and new jollity." ]
.

III.
An Old-Time Christmas Carol.
Sung to the Queen in the Presence at Whitehall MDXCVI.
I sing of a maiden That is makeless.[1] King of all kings To her son she ches.[2] He came al so still There his mother was, As dew in April That falleth on the grass. He came al so still To his mother's bower, As dew in April That falleth on the flower. He came al so still There his mother lay, As dew in April That falleth on the spray. Mother and maiden Was never none but she; Well may such a lady God's mother be.
[1] Matchless.
[2] Chose.
Ye End.
[Illustration: Decorative Emblem]

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