This child both God and man

From heaven down to us came, He is the King of all kings,

And Jesus is his name.
Novels, &c.

These tidings shepherds heard
In field watching their fold,
Was by an angel unto them
That night reveal'd and told.
Novels, &c.

Who standing near by them
To them shined so bright,

That they amazed were

At that most glorious sight.
Novels, &c.

To whom the angel spoke,

Saying, be not afraid,

Be glad, poor silly shepherds;
Why are you so dismayed?
Novels, &c.

For lo, I bring you tidings
Of gladness and of mirth,
Which cometh to all people by
This holy Infant's birth.

Novels, &c.

The only Son of God was he,

The Lord and God most Highest ; And he is the true Shepherd;

The young child Jesus Christ.

Novels, &c.

Then was there with the angel

An host incontinent

Of heavenly bright soldiers,

Which from the Highest was sent.
Novels, &c.

Lauding the Lord our God

And his Celestial King;

All glory be in paradise,

This heavenly host did sing.
Novels, &c.

Glory be unto our God.

That sitteth still on high,

With praises and with triumph great,
And joyful melody.
Novels, &c.

But when this holy army

Of heavenly soldiers bright

Was unto God returned

And vanished out of sight;

Novels, &c.

The which the holy prophets
Spake of long time before,
That from the fall of Adam
He should us all restore.
Novels, &c.

The shepherds hearts were joyful
At this great glorious news,

That the King of all kings

was risen amongst the Jews.
Novels, &c.

Without the least of hinderance

Anon they went in then,

And found the young child Jesus Christ

Thus born in Bethlehem.

Novels, &c.

And as the angel told them,

So to them did appear;

They found the young child Jesus Christ

With Mary his mother dear.

Novels, &c.

Not sumptuously, but simply,

Was the young King array'd;
A manger was the cradle

Where the young child was laid.
Novels, &c.

No pride at all was found

In this most holy Child,

But he being void of all sin,
The Lamb of God most mild.
Novels, &c.

His body unto bitter pains
He gave to set us free:

He is our Saviour Jesus Christ,
And none but only he.
Novels, &c.

To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

All glory be therefore,

To whom be all dominion
Both now and evermore!
Novels, &c.

XLVIII.

[For Christmas Day in the Morning, from Sandys, p. 74.]

THE first Nowell the Angell did say

Was to three poor Shepherds in the fields as they lay;

In fields where they lay keeping their sheep

In a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,

Born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,

And so it continued both day and night.
Nowel, &c.

And by the light of that same star,
Three Wise Men came from country far;
To seek for a King was their intent,

And to follow the star wherever it went.
Nowel, &c.

This star drew nigh to the North West,
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest,

And there it took both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay.
Nowell, &c.

Then did they know assuredly

Within that house the King did lie;

One entered in then for to see,

And found the babe in poverty,
Nowell, &c.

Then enter'd in those Wise Men three

Most reverently upon their knee,

And offer'd there in his presence,

Both gold, and myrrh, and frankincense. Nowell, &c.