Attempt > Volume 1 and Select writings

8
THE ATTEMPT
the grey locks of Father Christmas are very appropriately encircled by a garland of
evergreens and flaming rubies, independently of the fitness of the decoration sug¬
gested by the holly-seller iu the following lines:—
“ For, according to the story, prickly leaves like these before ye
Round the Saviour’s brows were circled eighteen hundred years ago.”
At this season, when friends meet friends, and everybody is expected to forgive every¬
body’s enemies, what more appropriate to complete a triune-wreath of evergreens than
the dark-waving trails of friendship’s ancient emblem, “ the ivy never sere,” which
seems so sacred to time and old ruins that it serves to remind us of Christmas
feasts long, long gone by, when its green leaves were looked upon by bright eyes now
closed in death. The tall Christmas candles having been lighted, and casting their
fitful glance along the green-clad walls, the servants were wont to obey the injunction
of Herrick—
“ Come, bring with a noise,
My merrie, merrie boys,
The Christmas log to the firing;
While my good dame she
Bids you all be free,
And drink to your heart’s desiring,”—
by inveigling the guests into the yard, on pretence of seeing the arrival of the Dey of
Tripoli and his gallant suite, to assist in bringing the Yule log into the hall, while
with stentorian lungs they shouted the ditty—
“ Old Dun up draw out of the mire,
To burn upon our Christmas fire,—
So dance and sing and make good cheer,
For Christmas comes but once a-year.”
The log was then placed on the ample fire-place with great rejoicing, and lighted
with a brand from last year’s clog, while the company regaled themselves with Yide
cakes, howls of furmenty, spiced ale, and beef, and entertained each other by the
singiug of carols or the telling of legendary tales. The Yule clog is still burnt in
many farm-houses in the north of England, where there are some superstitions
attached to it by the peasantry.
Herrick commands us on Christmas Eve to
“ Wassaile the trees, that they may bear
You many a plum and many a pear;
For more or less fruits they will bring
As you do give them wassailing,”—