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NEW PRINCE, NEW POMP, by         Recitation         Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Behold, a silly [or, little] tender babe
Last Line: Which he from heaven doth bring.
Subject(s): Christmas; Nativity, The


Behold, a silly, tender babe
In freezing winter night,
In homely manger trembling lies:
Alas, a piteous sight.
The inns are full; no man will yield
This little Pilgrim bed,
But forced he is with silly beasts
In crib to shroud His head.
Despise not Him for lying there,
First what he is inquire;
An orient pearl is often found
In depth of dirty mire.
Weigh not His crib, His wooden dish.
Nor beasts that by Him feed;
Weigh not His mother's poor attire,
Nor Joseph's simple weed.
This stable is a Prince's court.
This crib His chair of state;
The beasts are parcel of His pomp,
The wooden dish His plate.
The persons in that poor attire
His royal liveries wear;
The Prince Himself is come from Heaven,
This pomp is prized there.
With joy approach, O Christian wight!
Do homage to thy King,
And highly praise His humble pomp
Which He from Heaven doth bring.





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