Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, OLD TOM TUSSER'S ADVICE, by ERNEST L. VALENTINE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

OLD TOM TUSSER'S ADVICE, by                    
First Line: Back 'mid the baltic's sleet and snow
Last Line: "for christmas comes but once a year!"
Subject(s): Advice; Christmas; Knowledge; Wisdom; Nativity, The


BACK 'mid the Baltic's sleet and snow
When Viking days were in their prime
They perceived the wisdom, long ago,
Of Yuletide's coming in winter time,
And said as much, in prose and rhyme;
And old Tom Tusser's vision clear
Went further, in a lilting chime:
"At Christmas play, and make good cheer,
For Christmas comes but once a year."

Just when the sun is cold and slow,
Before he begins his upward climb,
Isn't it wise to think and know
Of Yuletide's coming in winter time?
Forgot the season's mirk and grime,
Forgot the sleet and north wind's fear
For this good advice to gay pastime:
"At Christmas play, and make good cheer,
For Christmas comes but once a year."

What do we care for December's woe —
A frosty face indoors is crime —
When we are glad, in the log's bright glow,
Of Yuletide's coming in winter time.
There we know nothing of ice and rime,
Fully assured when, now and here,
We repeat, as at school a paradigm:
"At Christmas play, and make good cheer,
For Christmas comes but once a year."

L'Envoi

O Father Christmas, the thought's sublime
Of Yuletide's coming in winter time;
But there is another, quite as sincere:
"At Christmas play, and make good cheer,
For Christmas comes but once a year!"





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