Mistletoe*
all-heal by the garland flaunts
above the rushes-o punt! betideth
yuleclouds magellanic
natal star say what
yongling ycomen
littel child myrrh is mine
its bitter perfume
its babel sound o hush
ye men of strife
kisses kisses then
into egypt with him
across the rubicon the sun
askance the snow where it lies
dinted by deer on the run
infant limbs blanch and lose
their outdoor color to
touch
my robe!
burnt babe
be not affrighted
desire of nations
mark my step my good page
lullay lullay the holly
mistletoe red berries ivy turkeys geese game poultry brawn meat
pigs sausages oysters pies puddings fruit and punch all vanished
instantly
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* aka "all-heal" (trad, Celtic)
Sources (more or less in order of appearance): _Evangeline_ (Longfellow),
"The Coventry Carol," "Angels, From the Realms of Glory," "It Came Upon A
Midnight Clear," "The Holly and the Ivy," _The Mill on the Floss_ (G.
Eliot), "The Burning Babe" (Southall), "Good King Wenceslaus," and the
"Second of the Three Spirits" (Ghost of Christmas Present) section of _A
Christmas Carol_ (Dickens).
Glad tidings to all,
Candice
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