THEODORE WATTS-DUNTON

Seem those halls when sunlight launches Shafts of gold thro' leafless branches, Where the winter's feathery mantle blanches Field and farm and lane.

CHORUS. Christmas knows a merry, merry place, &c.

Drayton.

'Tis where Avon's wood-sprites weave Through the boughs a lace of rime, While the bells of Christmas Eve

Fling for Will the Stratford-chime O'er the river-flags emboss'd Rich with flowery runes of frost O'er the meads where snowy tufts are toss'd Strains of olden time.

CHORUS. Christmas knows a merry, merry place, &c.

Shakespeare s Friend.

'Tis, methinks, on any ground

Where our Shakespeare's feet are set. There smiles Christmas, holly-crown'd

With his blithest coronet: Friendship's face he loveth well : 'Tis a countenance whose spell Sheds a balm o'er every mead and dell Where we used to fret.

CHORUS. Christmas knows a merry, merry place, &c.

Heywood.

More than all the pictures, Ben,

Winter weaves by wood or stream, Christmas loves our London, when Rise thy clouds of wassail-steam

97 i

�� �