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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A VIRGIN MOST PURE by ANONYMOUS

First Line: "A VIRGIN MOST PURE, AS THE PROPHETS DO TELL"
Last Line: "CHRIST JESUS, OUR SAVIOUR, WAS BORN AT THIS TIDE"
Subject(s): CHRISTMAS CAROLS;
A VIRGIN most pure, as the prophets do tell,
Hath brought forth a babe, as it hath her befell,
To be our Redeemer from death, hell, and sin,
Which Adam's transgression hath wrapt us all in.
Rejoice and be merry, set sorrow aside,
Christ Jesus, our Saviour, was born at this tide.

In Bethlehem city, in Jewry it was,
Where Joseph and Mary together did pass,
And there to be taxed, with many one mo',
For Cæesar commanded the same should be so.
Rejoice and be merry—

But, when they had entered the city so fair,
The number of people so mighty was there,
That Joseph and Mary, whose substance was small,
Could get in the city no lodging at all.
Rejoice and be merry—

Then they were constrain'd in a stable to lie,
Where oxen and asses they used to tie;
Their lodging so simple, they held it no scorn,
But against the next morning our Saviour was born.
Rejoice and be merry—

The King of all Glory to the world being brought,
Small store of fine linen to wrap him was wrought;
When Mary had swaddled her young son so sweet,
Within an ox manger she laid him to sleep.
Rejoice and be merry—

Then God sent an angel from Heaven so high,
To certain poor Shepherds in fields where they lie,
And bid them no longer in sorrow to stay,
Because that our Saviour was born on this day.
Rejoice and be merry—

Then presently after, the Shepherds did spy
A number of Angels appear in the sky,
Who joyfully talked, and sweetly did sing,
"To God be all glory, our Heavenly King."
Rejoice and be merry—

Three certain wise Princes, they thought it most meet
To lay their rich off'rings at our Saviour's feet;
Then the Shepherds consent, and to Bethlehem did go,
And when they came thither they found it was so.
Rejoice and be merry, set sorrow aside,
Christ Jesus, our Saviour, was born at this tide.



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