Drink now the strong beer,
Cut the white loaf here,

The while the meat is a shredding

For the rare mince-pie,

And the plums stand by,
To fill the paste that's a kneading.

"In Excelsis Gloria.”

WHEN Christ was born of Mary free,
In Bethlehem, in that fair citie,
Angels sang there with mirth and glee,
In Excelsis Gloria!

Herdsmen beheld these angels bright,
To them appearing with great light,
Who said, "God's Son is born this night,"
In Excelsis Gloria!

This King is come to save mankind,
As in Scripture truths we find,
Therefore this song have we in mind,

In Excelsis Gloria!

Then, dear Lord, for Thy great grace,
Grant us the bliss to see Thy face,
That we may sing to Thy solace,

In Excelsis Gloria!

Religious Poems.

A Hymn on the Nativity of my Saviour.

(BEN JONSON.)

I SING the birth was born to-night,
The Author both of life and light;

The angels so did sound it,
And like the ravished shepherds said,
Who saw the light and were afraid,

Yet searched, and true they found 10

The Son of God, th' Eternal King,

That did us all salvation bring,

And freed the soul from danger;

He whom the whole world could not take,
The Word, which heaven and earth did make,
Was now laid in a manger.

The Father's wisdom willed it so,
The Son's obedience knew no No,
Both wills were in one stature;

And as that wisdom had decreed,
The Word was now made Flesh indeed,
And took on him our nature.

What comfort by Him do we win,
Who made Himself the price of sin,
To make us heirs of Glory!

To see this babe, all innocence,
A martyr born in our defence:
Can man forget this story?

For Christmas Day.

(BISHOP HALL.)

IMMORTAL Babe, who this dear day
Didst change Thine heaven for our clay,
And didst with flesh Thy godhead veil,
Eternal Son of God, all hail!

Shine, happy star; ye angels, sing

Glory on high to Heaven's King.

Run, shepherds, leave your nightly watch;

See Heaven come down to Bethlehem's cratch.

Worship, ye sages of the East,

The King of God in meanness dressed.

O, blessed maid! smile and adore
The God thy womb and arms have bore.

Star, angels, shepherds, and wild sages,
Thou virgin glory of all ages,
Restored frame of Heaven and Earth,
Joy in your dear Redeemer's birth!