Old Christmass Returnd,
Or, Hospitality REVIVED.
Being a Looking-glass for rich Misers, wherein they may see (if they be not blind)
how much they are too blame for their penurious house-keeping, and likewise
an incouragement to those noble-minded Gentry, who lay out a great part of
their Estates in Hospitality, relieving such persons as have need thereof.
Who feasts the Poor a true reward shall find
Or helps the old, the Feeble, lame and blind.
Tune of The Delights of the Bottle, with Allowance, R. L'estrange .
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A LL you that to Feasting and mirth are inclin'd,
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Come here is good news for to pleasure your mind,
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Old Christmass is come for to keep open house
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He scorns to be guilty of starving a mouse,
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Then come boyes and welcome, for dyet the chief
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Plumb pudding, Goose, Capon, minc't pies & Roast beef.
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A long time together he hath been forgot
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They scarce could afford for to hang on the pot,
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Such miserly sneaking in England hath been
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As by our forefathers ner'e us'd to be seen
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But now he's returned, you shall have in brief
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Plumb pudding, Goose, Capon, minc't pies & Roast beef.
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The times were ner'e good, since Old Christmass was fled'
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And all hospitality hath been so dead,
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No mirth at our festivals late did appear
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They scarcely would part with a cup of March beer,
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But now you shall have for to ease you of grief
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Plumb pudding, etc.
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The Butler and Baker they now may be glad
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The times they are mended though they have been bad,
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The Brewer he likewise may be of good cheer
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He shall have good trading for Ale and strong beer.
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All trades shall be jolly, and have for relief,
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Plumb pudding , Goose Capon, Minc't pies & Roast beef.
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The holly and ivy, about the walls wind,
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And shows that we ought to our neighbours be kind,
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Inviting each other for pastime and sport
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And where we best fare, there we most do resort.
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We fail not of victuals, and that of the chief
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Plumb pudding, etc.
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The Cooks shall be busied by day and by night
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In Roasting and Boyling, for tast and delight,
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Their senses in liquor that's nappy they'l steep
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Though they be afforded to have little sleep.
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They still are imployd for to dress us in brief
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Plumb pudding, Goose Capon minc'd pies and roast beef.
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A Lthough the cold weather doth hunger provoke
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'Tis a comfort to see how the Chimneys do smoke,
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Provision is making for Beer, Ale and wine,
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For all that are willing, or ready to dine,
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Then hast to the Kitchen for dyet the chief
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Plumb pudding, Goose, Capon, minc't pies & Roast beef.
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All travellers as they do pass on the way
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At Gentlemens halls are invited to stay,
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Themselves to refresh and their horses to rest
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Since that he must be old Christmass his guest
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Nay the poor shall not want but shall have for relief
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Plumb pudding etc.
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Now Mock-begger-hall, it no more shall stand empty
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But all shall be furnisht with freedome and plenty
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The hoarding old misers, who us'd to preserve
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The Gold in their Coffers, and see the poor starve,
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Must now spread their tables and give them in brief
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Plumb pudding etc.
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The Court and the City and Countrey are glad
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Old Christmass is come for to cheer up the sad
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Broad pieces and Guinnyes about now shall fly
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And hundreds be losers by cogging a Dye,
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Whist others are feasting with dyet the chief
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Plumb pudding etc.
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Those that have no coyn at the cards for to play
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May sit by the fire, and pass time away
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And drink off their moisture contented and free
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My honest good fellow come here is to thee,
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And when they are a hungry fall to their relief
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Plumb pudding, etc.
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Young Gallants and Ladyes, shall foot it along
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Each room in the house to the Musick shall throng
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Whilst jolly Carouses about they shall pass
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And each countrey swain trip about with his Lass,
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Mean time goes the Caterer to fetch in the chief
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Plumb pudding, Goose, Capon, Minc't pies & Roast beef[.]
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The Cooks and the Scullion who toyl in their frocks
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Their hopes do depend upon their Christmass box,
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There is very few that do live on the earth
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But enjoy at this time either profit or mirth,
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Yea those that are charged to find all relief
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Plumb pudding etc.
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Then well may we welcome old Christmass to town
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Who brings us good cheer, and good liquor so brown,
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To pass the cold winter away with delight
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We feast it all day, and we frolick at night,
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Both hunger and cold we keep out with relief
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Plumb pudding etc.
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Then let all Curmudgeons who dote on their wealth
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And value their treasure much more then their health
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Go hang themselves up, if they will be so kind,
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Old Christmas with them but small welcome shall find
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They will not afford to themselves, without grief
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Plumb pudding, Goose, Capon, Minc't pies & Roast beef [.]
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