Young bachelors will not spare their coin, But thus their love is shown; Young Richard will buy a bodkin fine And give it honest Joan.
There"s Nancy and Sue with honest Prue, Young damsels both fair and gay, Will give to the men choice presents again For the honor of New-Year"s day.
Fine ruffs, cravats of curious lace, Maids give them fine and neat; For this the young men will them embrace With tender kisses sweet: And give them many pleasant toys To deck them fine and gay, As bodkins and rings with other fine things For the honor of New-Year"s day.
It being the first day of the year, To make the old amends, All those that have it will dress good cheer, Inviting all their friends To drink great James"s royal health, As very well subjects may, With many healths more, which we have store, For the honor of New-Year"s day.
_A Cabinet of Choice Jewels, A.D. 1688._
THE END OF THE PLAY.
The play is done; the curtain drops, Slow falling to the prompter"s bell; A moment yet the actor stops And looks around to say farewell.
It is an irksome word and task; And, when he"s laughed and said his say, He shows, as he removes the mask, A face that"s anything but gay.
One word ere yet the evening ends; Let"s close it with a parting rhyme, And pledge a hand to all young friends, As fits the merry Christmas-time.
On life"s wide scene you, too, have parts, That fate erelong shall bid you play; Good-night! with honest, gentle hearts A kindly greeting go alway.
Come wealth or want, come good or ill, Let young and old accept their part, And bow before the Awful Will, And bear it with an honest heart.
Who misses or who wins the prize, Go, lose or conquer as you can; But if you fail, or if you rise, Be each, pray G.o.d, a gentleman.
A gentleman, or old or young!
(Bear kindly with my humble lays); The sacred chorus first was sung Upon the first of Christmas days; The shepherds heard it overhead, The joyful angels raised it then; Glory to heaven on high, it said, And peace on earth to gentle men.
My song, save this, is little worth; I lay the weary pen aside, And wish you health, and love, and mirth, As fits the solemn Christmas-tide.
As fits the holy Christmas birth, Be this, good friends, our carol still-- Be peace on earth, be peace on earth, To men of gentle will.
_William Makepeace Thackeray._
FINIS.