So stick up @3Ivie@1 and the @3Bays@1, And then restore the @3heathen@1 ways. @3Green@1 will remind you of the spring, Though this great day denies the thing. And mortifies the Earth and all But your wild @3Revels@1, and loose @3Hall.@1 Could you wear @3Flow'rs,@1 and @3Roses@1 strow Blushing upon your breasts @3warm Snow,@1 That very @3dress@1 your lightness will Rebuke, and wither at the Ill. The brightness of this day we owe Not unto @3Music, Masque@1 nor @3Showe.@1 Nor gallant @3furniture@1, nor @3Plate,@1 But to the @3Manger's@1 mean Estate. His @3life@1 while here, as well as @3birth,@1 Was but a check to @3pomp@1 and @3mirth;@1 And all mans @3greatness@1 you may see Condemn'd by his @3humility.@1 Then leave your open @3house@1 and @3noise,@1 To welcom him with @3holy Joys,@1 And the poor @3Shepherd's@1 watchfulness: Whom @3light@1 and @3hymns@1 from Heav'n did bless. What you @3abound@1 with, cast abroad To those that @3want@1, and ease your loade. Who empties thus, will bring more in; But riot is both @3loss@1 and @3Sin.@1 Dress finely what comes not in sight, And then you keep your @3Christmas@1 right. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GOOD-BYE DOROTHY GAYLE: HOME TO FARGO by KAREN SWENSON ODE ON THE POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS OF THE HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND by WILLIAM COLLINS (1721-1759) WHAT THE SONNET IS by EUGENE JACOB LEE-HAMILTON BY BLUE ONTARIO'S SHORE by WALT WHITMAN THIS COMPOST: 2. by WALT WHITMAN SONGS OF LABOR: DEDICATION by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER |